Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) J.F. Macbr.

Code

CPHCA
 

Growth form

Broad leaves

Biological cycle

Annual

Habitat

Marshland

Global description

Cuphea carthagenensis is an erect herbaceous plant (15 to 50 cm tall). Taproot. Stem erect, quadrangular, hispid, purplish in its youngest parts. LEaves opposites and simple. Oval to obovate blade 2 to 6 cm long and 1.5 to 2 cm wide. Petiole short (2 mm long). Flowers arranged in terminal or axillary position at the end of the stem. Tubular corole ending in 6 linear pink petals. The fruits are short ovoid capsules (3.5 to 5 mm long).

 

Brazil: This species flowers from December to March and fruit from January to April.
Fiji: It flowers and fruits throughout the year.
USA (south): It flowers from June to September.

Cuphea carthagenensis is an annual species. It multiplies only through its seeds that can be transported by runoff or in mud stuck to animals or vehicles.

Cuphea carthagenensis is preferentially growing in marshlands and sunny places, although it can sometimes be found in other conditions.

French Guiana: Cuphea carthagenensis occurs occasionally as a weed in wet pastures.

Cuphea carthagenensis is reported to be host to different nematodes Meloidogyne incognita (Meloidogynidae), and Criconemella denoudeni [Mesocriconema denoudeni] (Criconematidae).
Pathogens have been found on this species in Colombia, including Phakopsora cupheae, the teleomorph of Milesia cupheae (Uredo cupheae) (Pucciniastraceae), and a gall midge Neolasioptera cupheae (Cecidomyiidae), found in Brazil.

 

Origin

Cuphea carthagenensis is native to South America and the Lesser Antilles.

Worldwide distribution

This species has been introduced and established in the tropical and subtropical regions of Central America, the Caribbean, North America, Asia, and the Pacific.

 

Overall harmfulness

Cuphea carthagenensis is an important weed of many annual crops (maize, cucumber, rice) and perennial (coconut, pasture, taro), both in its native range (Brazil) and in its area of ​​introduction. It can quickly become abundant and very competitive with respect to culture.

Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Cuphea%2520carthagenensis