Cuphea hyssopifolia
aka.: Cuphea, Mexican Heather, False Heather, Mexican false heather, false heather, Hawaiian heather, elfin herb
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtales
Family: Lythraceae
Genus: Cuphea
Species: C. hyssopifolia
Regions: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras.
Named after its resemblance to “True Heather” which comes from the base word for the species name is thought to be “heath” meaning “vast harsh wastelands”. This is the environment where the hardy, low, evergreen shrub known as “Heather” grows. Mexican heather, though beautiful and quite popular in its own right, is in no way related to true heather plants. It is a small tropical evergreen sub-shrub with compact fine textured foliage which is native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. It grows to about a maximum height of about 24 in (60 cm high) and 90 cm wide and has purple, lavender, pink, deep rose or white coloured flowers and fine foliage. Forms flat topped mounds 18-36 in (45.7-91 cm) in diameter. The plant’s flat feathery sprays of foliage are 12-18 in (30.5 cm) long and are highly branched. The small oblong leaves resemble those of Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris also known by its synonym Erica vulgaris) and are about 3/4 to 1 in (1.9 cm) long and 1/4 to 1/2 in (0.6-1.3 cm) wide. They are arranged alternately the length of the stems giving the plant a fernlike appearance but maintaining a dense cover of tiny leaves along its much branched stems. Tiny flowers emerge from the axis (point where leaf attaches to the stem) to creat a show of color that lasts most of the year.
Cultivation: prune lightly in spring if plant becomes scraggly. Prefers well drained fertil soil. Spring and summer best flowering. Indoor growth use liquid fertilizer. Light: broken shade. Protect from direct sunlight. Can take full sun but plant looses its rich green color when such. Regular watering a must. USDA Zones 9-11 best. Will be killed by freezing temperatures. Large clumps may be divided and propograted by taking short, 4-6 in (10.2-15.2 cm) tip cuttings. In warms areas, Mexican false heather may self-sow. It is easily grown from seed planted in spring. Environmental: ornamental Cultural:landscaping and home garden in North America. Folklore/Magical Uses: Heather is often spoken of in legends and fairy tales, with uses from curing snake bites to performing fertility rituals. Scottish folklore states that the gathering places of the heather plant are sacred realms where the fairy world meet with the human world, and mysticism is strong there. Heather bearing white flowers are rare and considered lucky. Blooming heather in England, Scotland, and Ireland is considered a blessing. Burnt before blooming season by Scots to aid fertilization of crop lands and cattle. Addition of heather blooms to a bridal bouquet is a sign of good luck, longevity, and fertility. Medicinal: Used as early as the 12th c. Oils and serums derived from the plant often used in prevention of organ stones, subsidence of consumption and fever, curing of infections especially with eyes, healing of poisonous bites and stings. Mexican Heather is used to treat indigestion, dysentery, wounds, bruises, and muscle pain. Bibliography / More information:
Plant at the National Arboretum, Washington, D.C.
