Cuphea ingrata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cuphea ingrata var. grandifolia
• Cuphea ingrata f. grandifolia
• Cuphea ingrata var. parvifolia
• Cuphea ingrata f. parvifolia
• Cuphea ingrata var. platensis
• Cuphea millefoliata
• Cuphea obliqua

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Cuphea ingrata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Myrtaleales and the family Lythraceae. Ultimately, it is identified under the genus Cuphea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several key regions of South America. Within Brazil, its distribution extends through both the Southeast and South regions. Moving into Southern South America, it can be found throughout the Northeast and Northwest territories of Argentina. Additionally, the species is well-established within the borders of Paraguay. Together, these locations define the specific environmental range where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cuphea ingrata is characterized by its presence across a diverse range of South American biomes, including the Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. This plant demonstrates significant environmental plasticity regarding altitude, occupying a broad vertical distribution that spans from sea level up to an elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This wide elevational range allows the species to inhabit various moisture regimes and temperature gradients, ranging from lowland tropical rainforests to more temperate montane environments.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Cuphea ingrata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and life form, it is classified as a phanerophyte, indicating that its stems and buds are held well above the ground level. Additionally, within specific ecological contexts or developmental stages, it may exhibit characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its compact and shrubby architectural nature.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cuphea ingrata is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb, displaying a sturdy structural composition. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and is categorized as a terrestrial plant, existing outside of aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. Furthermore, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial rather than growing upon other plants as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. In terms of its physical support and habit, the species is self-supporting, meaning it does not require external structures for climbing or ascending.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cuphea ingrata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Oenothein B.

Oenothein B

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Cuphea ingrata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer

1. Natural product research