Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Myrtales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
melanium
ID:
630869

Status:
valid

Authors:
R.Br. ex Steud.

Source:
cmp

Year:
1821

Citation Micro:
Nomencl. Bot. 1: 245 (1821)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000630201



Common Names

  • Melanium Cuphea
  • Mexican Heather
  • False Heather


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Synonyms

  • Lythrum cordifolium Sw. [unknown]
  • Melanium alliaceum Spreng. [unknown]
  • Cuphea cordifolia Koehne [unknown]
  • Cuphea ekmanii O.C.Schmidt [unknown]
  • Cuphea pseudomelanium Griseb. [unknown]
  • Cuphea rotundifolia Koehne [unknown]
  • Cuphea swartziana Spreng. [unknown]
  • Parsonsia swartziana (Spreng.) Jenn. [unknown]
  • Lythrum melanium L. [unknown]

Description

Cuphea melanium (also called Mountain Heather, among many other common names) is a small shrub native to Mexico and Central America. It has small, dark green leaves and produces small, white flowers. It is found in dry, sunny habitats, such as rocky hillsides and open woodlands.

Uses & Benefits

Cuphea melanium is an attractive, low-maintenance plant that can be used as a ground cover or in containers. It is also a great choice for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Cuphea melanium is a small, tubular, bright yellow-yellow flower with a yellowish-green calyx. The seed is a small, black, shiny seed. The seedling is a small, green, oval-shaped plant with a single stem.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Cuphea melanium is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 1 m (3 ft) tall. It can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a warm, moist, shaded area and kept moist until germination. Cuttings should be taken from mature wood and rooted in a warm, moist, shaded area.

Where to Find Cuphea melanium

Cuphea melanium can be found in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Cuphea melanium FAQ

What is the ideal soil type for Cuphea melanium?

Cuphea melanium prefers well-drained, sandy soil with a slightly acidic pH.

What is the best way to propagate Cuphea melanium?

Cuphea melanium can be propagated by seed or stem cuttings.

How much sunlight does Cuphea melanium need?

Cuphea melanium prefers full sun to partial shade.

Species in the Cuphea genus

Cuphea alatosperma, Cuphea anamariae, Cuphea exilis, Cuphea filiformis, Cuphea lucens, Cuphea rupestris, Cuphea acicularis, Cuphea acinifolia, Cuphea acinos, Cuphea adenophylla, Cuphea aequipetala, Cuphea affinitatum, Cuphea alaniana, Cuphea anagalloidea, Cuphea angustifolia, Cuphea anisoclada, Cuphea annulata, Cuphea antisyphilitica, Cuphea aperta, Cuphea appendiculata, Cuphea apurensis, Cuphea aquilana, Cuphea arenarioides, Cuphea aristata, Cuphea armata, Cuphea aspera, Cuphea avigera, Cuphea bahiensis, Cuphea baillonis, Cuphea blackii, Cuphea bolivarensis, Cuphea bombonasae, Cuphea bonplandii, Cuphea brachiata, Cuphea brachyantha, Cuphea brachypoda, Cuphea bracteolosa, Cuphea bustamanta, Cuphea caesariata, Cuphea calaminthifolia, Cuphea calcarata, Cuphea calophylla, Cuphea campestris, Cuphea campylocentra, Cuphea carajasensis, Cuphea cardonae, Cuphea carthagenensis, Cuphea carunculata, Cuphea cataractarum, Cuphea chiribiquetea,

Species in the Lythraceae family

Adenaria floribunda, Ammannia aegyptiaca, Ammannia alternifolia, Ammannia anagalloides, Ammannia aspera, Ammannia auriculata, Ammannia baccifera, Ammannia coccinea, Ammannia cordata, Ammannia crassicaulis, Ammannia crinipes, Ammannia debilis, Ammannia desertorum, Ammannia dodecandra, Ammannia elata, Ammannia gracilis, Ammannia latifolia, Ammannia linearipetala, Ammannia loandensis, Ammannia multiflora, Ammannia myriophylloides, Ammannia nagpurensis, Ammannia octandra, Ammannia passerinoides, Ammannia prieuriana, Ammannia prostrata, Ammannia quadriciliata, Ammannia robusta, Ammannia sarcophylla, Ammannia schaeferi, Ammannia senegalensis, Ammannia triflora, Ammannia uniflora, Ammannia urceolata, Ammannia verticillata, Ammannia wormskioldii, Ammannia calcicola, Ammannia heterophylla, Ammannia pauciramosa, Ammannia pubescens, Ammannia praetermissa, Ammannia andongensis, Ammannia angolensis, Ammannia angustifolia, Ammannia arnhemica, Ammannia aurita, Ammannia baumii, Ammannia bequaertii, Ammannia brevistyla, Ammannia burttii,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-2748225: Based on the initial data import
Ernst Gottlieb von Steudel (1783-1856): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Steud.' in the authors string.
Robert Brown (1773-1858): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'R.Br.' in the authors string.