Colombian waxweed (Cuphea carthagenensis, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 8: 124 (1930))

Family: Lythraceae

Author: (Jacq.) J.F.Macbr.

Bibliography: Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 8: 124 (1930)

Year: 1930

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cuphea

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Colombian waxweed, scientifically known as Cuphea carthagenensis, is a plant species that belongs to the Lythraceae family. This species was thoroughly documented in the botanical Series 8, published by the Field Museum of Natural History in 1930. The formal botanical nomenclature attributes its classification to the botanist (Jacq.) J.F.Macbr.

C. carthagenensis is found widely distributed from Mexico down through tropical America. This geographical habitat suggests that the plant thrives in warm, humid environments typical of tropical climates. Colombian waxweed is notable for its vivid appearance and is commonly identified by its unique waxy foliage, which has garnered it the common name reflecting this distinctive trait.

The plant plays a noteworthy role in its native ecosystem, contributing to the biodiversity and serving as a component of the flora in tropical regions. As with many species native to tropical zones, it likely forms symbiotic relationships with various insects and organisms, playing a part in the pollination process and supporting the ecological balance.

This species’ adaptation for survival in tropical climates speaks to its evolutionary success in these regions. It underscores the remarkable diversity within the Lythraceae family and offers significant interest for botanists and ecologists studying tropical plant species and their interactions within their native habitats.

Common Names

Eng: colombian waxweed, columbian cuphea, tarweed
Spa: escobilla
Por: sete-sangrias
En: Colombian waxweed, Columbian cuphea, Tarweed
Fr: Radié raide
Pt: Sete-sangrias
Es: Escobilla

Synonyms

• Cuphea balsamona (Cham. & Schltdl.)
• Cuphea divaricata (Pohl ex Koehne)
• Parsonsia pinto ((Vand.) A.Heller)
• Lythrum carthagenense (Jacq.)
• Cuphea peplidioides (Mart. ex Koehne)
• Parsonsia balsamona ((Cham. & Schltdl.) Standl.)
• Balsamona pinto (Vand.)
• Cuphea prunellifolia (A.St.-Hil.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Liberia (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Kamthenlal Dimngel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2022 by Kacimir Givine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2021 by Salome Hubin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2021 by Salome Hubin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2021 by Salome Hubin (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by Jardim Mundo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by bikash singh (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Busy bee (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2021 by Salome Hubin (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken Oct 2, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Busy bee (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3188685)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:72326-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) J.F.Macbr.)

Specifications

Growth