Clammy Cuphea

(Cuphea viscosissima)

 

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Clammy Cuphea (Cuphea viscosissima)

Identification: Flowers pink, with the base swollen, sacklike. Petals irregular in size and shape, stalked, the two largest at the top and four smaller ones on the bottom. Stem and leaves with sticky hairs, the foliage with a wet feeling. Leaves in opposite pairs, swollen at the base and tapering to a sharp apex. Leaf petioles long. Plant 1 to 2 feet in height.

Distribution: Illinois and Iowa in the west to southern New England in the east, southward to Florida and Louisiana.

Habitat: Clammy Cuphea is found on dry or sandy soils.

Flowering period: June to September.

Clammy Cuphea (Cuphea viscosissima)

Similar Species:

The combination of the wet, sticky foliage and the unique flowers easily identify this species.

Similar Species

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