cuphea

[ kyoo-fee-uh ]

noun

1. any of various New World plants belonging to the genus Cuphea, of the loosestrife family, having tubular, usually reddish or purple flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuphea¹

< New Latin (1756), irregular < Greek kŷph ( os ) hump (from the protuberance at the base of the calyx tube) + New Latin -ea -ea

Example Sentences

In those areas, the birds can be attracted by planting things such as firebush, firespike, cuphea and salvia.

From Washington Times

The garden’s volunteer propagation team has grown plants for this sale, including salvia, cuphea, plectranthus, California natives, cactus and succulents, fairy garden plants, pelargonium, African basil, bromeliads, and tillandsia.

From Los Angeles Times

Other sun-loving hummingbird favorites that look great in combination or solo in a hanging basket are Cuphea, Verbena and Lantana.

From Seattle Times

Cuphea is a real cutie, featuring a gazillion small, tubular flowers that are produced all season long without deadheading.

From Seattle Times

Cuphea, in Lythraceæ, 186 Stamens 5–8 or 10, and petals hypogynous, or nearly so.

From Project Gutenberg