Cigar Flower

Description

Cuphea lanceolata, also known as the cigar flower, is an annual herbaceous flowering plant in the genus Cuphea, belonging to the Lythraceae family. Cuphea lanceolata reaches on average a height of 45–60 centimetres (18–24 in). It has a branched stem with opposite, narrow, up to 7 cm long leaves. The flowers are tubular, dark-lilac or cherry-red, with six petals. The two upper petals are large and ear-shaped, while the others are quite small. The flowering period extends from June through August. The fruit is a capsule.