How to identify Mexican giant cigar plant (Cuphea micropetala)

How to identify Mexican giant cigar plant (Cuphea micropetala)

Mexican giant cigar plant, also known as Tall cigar plant, Candy corn

Mexican giant cigar plant is an evergreen shrub reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) and often extending slightly wider. It exhibits a bushy form with arching red stems and a rough texture. The narrow lanceolate leaves, which range in length from two to six inches (5 to 15 cm), are oppositely arranged and taper at both ends. During late summer to fall, mexican giant cigar plant produces distinctive tubular flowers arranged in leafy terminal racemes. These blooms, initially yellow, mature to a two-toned yellow and orange, with long exerted stamens and a slight sticky internal glisten. The flowers adorn the plant, providing a gradient of warm colors that contrast against the foliage.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Mexican giant cigar plant

Oppositely arranged lanceolate leaves, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, tapering at both ends.

Tubular flowers in leafy racemes, initially yellow, maturing to a bi-colored yellow-orange gradient.

Distinctive bi-colored flowers, 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long, with orange base transitioning to yellow tips.

Smooth, narrow leaves, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, with pronounced reddish-purple margins in fall.

Detailed Traits of Mexican giant cigar plant

Leaf Features

The leaves of mexican giant cigar plant are 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long and narrow. They are a lush green, but during the fall, they develop a distinctive reddish-purple margin, adding a touch of vibrant color. The leaves are typically smooth to the touch, and their vein pattern is mildly pronounced, running parallel along the length. This seasonal color change and the narrow, elongated shape make the leaves of mexican giant cigar plant easily identifiable.

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Flower Features

The flowers of mexican giant cigar plant are approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long, displaying a striking bi-colored pattern. The base of each flower is a vibrant orange, transitioning to bright yellow at the tips. The tubular flowers are elongated, with a narrow, slender shape. They typically lack a strong scent. Blooming primarily in late summer through fall, these flowers are arranged in clusters along the stem, creating a visually appealing display that attracts various pollinators.

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Mexican giant cigar plant and Their Similar Plants

False heather vs. Mexican giant cigar plant: What's The Difference?

A native of Mexico and parts of Central America, false heather is a small unassuming plant that makes a great addition to beds and borders. It has attractive evergreen foliage and when in bloom has lavender, white, or purple flowers. In the state of Hawaii, this naturalized plant is regarded as a weed.

Cigar plant vs. Mexican giant cigar plant: What's The Difference?

Cuphea ignea, the cigar plant, cigar flower, firecracker plant, or Mexican cigar, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cuphea of the family Lythraceae. It is a tropical, densely branched evergreen subshrub. This species, native to Mexico and the West Indies, produces small, tubular, bright red to orange flowers. Each flower is tipped with a thin, white rim and two small purple-black petals. The flower is said to resemble a lit cigar plant, hence the name ignea, which comes from the Latin for "fire". The leaves are small, elliptical and of a bright green color. It grows to about 61 cm. In temperate regions Cuphea ignea requires a warm, sheltered spot, as it does not tolerate frost. Alternatively, it may be grown under glass or indoors as a houseplant. In the UK, this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017).

Bat-faced cuphea vs. Mexican giant cigar plant: What's The Difference?

Bat-faced cuphea is a fast-growing Mexican native, full of red flowers that resemble bat faces (hence its name). This sub-shrub features tender broadleaves, prefers cooler climates, and is a regular fixture in many Mexican homes, where it grows to 76 cm tall.

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Key Facts About Mexican giant cigar plant

Attributes of Mexican giant cigar plant

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Flower Size

2.5 cm to 8 cm

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Mexican giant cigar plant

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Mexican giant cigar plant (Cuphea micropetala)

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Distribution Map of Mexican giant cigar plant

Mexican giant cigar plant is native to Central America, exhibiting a natural prevalence in subtropical regions. Since introduction, it has found a foothold across various continents including Asia, Africa, and Oceania, thriving in similar climates. The plant is cultivated in gardens and landscapes, implying a successful expansion beyond its endemic zone.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Mexican giant cigar plant How to Grow and Care for Mexican giant cigar plant