Cuphea calophylla
Cuphea calophylla, commonly known as the Butterfly Bush or False Heather, is a striking ornamental shrub prized for its vibrant, tubular flowers. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant holds significant interest in ethnobotany, offering potential medicinal properties through its unique chemical composition, making it a subject of botanical study.
- Scientific name: Cuphea calophylla
- Family: Lythraceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales. Finally, it is a member of the family Lythraceae and falls under the genus Cuphea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Lythraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cuphea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Cuphea calophylla, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In English, it is commonly referred to as the False Heather, while in Spanish, it is known as Hierba de la mujer or Malva de monte. In Portuguese, it is called Erva-de-santa-luzia.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical range spanning across parts of North and Central America. Within Mexico, its distribution is extensive, covering the Central, Southwest, and Southeast regions. Moving south into Central America, the species can also be found in the country of Belize. Additionally, its presence extends further south to include Costa Rica. Consequently, Cuphea calophylla occupies a diverse variety of habitats throughout these tropical and subtropical territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
| Central America | Nicaragua | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cuphea calophylla, is primarily utilized in medicinal applications through its aerial parts. These above-ground components, which include the stems, leaves, and flowers, contain the bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic properties. Because the aerial parts are easily accessible for harvesting, they are often collected for the preparation of various herbal extracts and infusions.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cuphea calophylla has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytoprotective.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cuphea calophylla has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |