Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Cuphea ignea A.DC.

Frost tender, spreading, freely-branching, soft-stemmed shrub, often grown as an annual, with lance-shaped leaves and slender, deep red flowers, 2-3cm long, with a dark red band, white rim and 2 tiny black-purple petals, borne singly from the upper leaf axils from spring to autumn.  To 75cm.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This Cuphea was named and described many years ago by Mr. Bentham, in “Plantae Hartwegianae” from dried specimens collected in Mexico, but until last year it has been a stranger to our gardens, which possess it through seeds accidentally imported with Mexican Orchids, and which sprang up in the establishment of J. Anderson, Esq., the Holme, Regent’s Park. […] C. platycentra will not lose by comparison with any plant as far as suitable habititude and profuse long-continued production of pretty inflorescences is concerned. […] Cuphea platycentra is quite appropriate for a small or a large bed, or at least can be rendered so.  Its disposition is to form long rather than many shoots; therefore, when left more to itself, it will be most fit for a large mass; and when a small one of it is desired, frequent stopping its branches must be freely resorted to.’  [MB p.267/1846].  The description and accompanying figure make it almost certain that Cuphea platycentra of Lemaire is being described (Cuphea ignea A.DC.), rather than that of Bentham (Cuphea bustamanta La Llave & Lex.), which is a recumbent shrub. 

Cupheas were recommended as summer bedding plants: ‘The C. platycentra is a charming plant; its beautiful red flowers tipped with white in such profusion are very ornamental.  The C. strigulosa, with its yellow, green, and red flowers, is very pretty.  It grows erect, and does well for the centre of the bed and the other kinds around it.’  [FC p.131/1850].  Introduced to Britain in 1845.  [JD]. Figured in FS pl.8, p.180/1846, the illustration used here, and FS pl.500/1849.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.357/1850].  Obtained from Kew Gardens, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in 1849.  In the confirmatory list sent by Macarthur to King it is marked with a ‘o’, meaning new to the colony, but with a superimposed cross, which may mean ‘dead on arival’.  [ML A1980-3].

Notes

Cuphea platycentra Benth. (1839) = Cuphea bustamanta La Llave & Lex.

Published Mar 11, 2009 - 03:56 PM | Last updated Jul 25, 2010 - 04:57 PM

View a printable version of this page.

Figured are ovate, pointed leaves and slender, tubular red flowers. Flore des Serres pl.8, p.180, 1846.

Cuphea ignea A.DC. | FS pl.8, p.180/1846 | BHL

Family Lythraceae
Category
Region of origin

Mexico to Jamaica
Synonyms
  • Cuphea platycentra Lem.
  • Parsonsia platycentra Britton
  • Parsonsia ignea Standl.
Common Name

Cigar flower, Firecracker plant
Name in the Camden Park Record

Cuphea platycentra
Confidence level high