CSIR-NEERI Biodiversity Portal

NEERI Biodiversity Portal

Easy access to campus Biodiversity...

Facilitates Learning & Sharing Knowledge of Biodiversity on a Click

NBP was inaugurated by Dr. M.S. Ladania, Director, NRCC Nagpur on 8 April 2015

Mexican False Heather

Cuphea hyssopifolia Kunth

Botanical name	: Cuphea hyssopifolia Kunth.
Common Name	: Mexican false heather, False heather, Elfin herb
Family	: Lythraceae
Synonym	: Parsonsia hyssopifolia kunth
About	: Mexican false heather is a small evergreen sub-shrub growing to a maximum height of about 24 in (61 cm ).The small lance-shaped glossy green leaves are about 1.9 cm long and 0.6-1.3 cm wide. They are arranged alternately. The length of the stems giving the plant a fernlike appearance. It produces quaint, small, trumpet-shaped flowers with six spreading lavender (purple) or pink petals and green calyx tubes. Flowers appear singly in the leaf axils along stems. Blooms profusely summer to frost .It is native of Central America and Mexico. It is used to treat indigestion, dysentery, wounds, bruises, and muscle pain also used as ornamental plant. Propagation is by tip cuttings or seeds.