Cuphea hyssopifolia Kunth

Taiwan beauty (Cuphea hyssopifolia) is a shrub 20-70 cm tall of the Lythraceae family, native to tropical America, widely distributed as a hedge and ground cover plant. In Mexico and Bangladesh, this plant is traditionally used to reduce fever, supported by its strong antioxidant phenolic compounds. Its leaves and flowers are also used as a natural insecticide.

This plant can be found growing along rivers and streams, moist forests, open places, moist thickets, at elevations up to 1,500 m above sea level. The average annual rainfall desired by this plant ranges between 1,400-1,900 mm/year. This plant prefers an open position with full sunlight, but is still tolerant of partial shade. Its growth is suitable in various soil types, but requires adequate moisture.

• Root a taproot.
• Stem green in color, many-branched, covered with fine, soft hair.
• Leaves compound, pinnate veins, leaf position arranged opposite. Leaflets small, ovate to narrowly lance-shaped, flat leaf edges, glossy green in color.
• Flowers solitary, tube-shaped, flower tube pale green in color, sometimes turning pink toward the top, has 6 petals colored pink, purple or white. Sepals wrinkled, hairless or with a few (some) stiff hairs, green in color. Appears in leaf axils and stem tips, small in size.
• Fruit capsule-shaped, splitting open and berry-like, has 3 lobes containing 5-8 seeds.
• Seeds reddish-brown in color, suborbicular.

Propagated generatively (seed) and vegetatively (cuttings and offset separation).

Phenolic compounds (valoneic acid dilactone; 1,3−O−digalloyl-4-,6-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-D−4C1-glucopyranose; gallic acid; genistein-7-O-β-D-4C1-glucopyranoside; myricetin−3 O−β-D−4C1-glucopyranoside; 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid; vanillic acid), cuphiin D1, cuphiin D2, oenothein B, woodfordin C, diterpene and flavonoid (friedelan-3β-ol; ursolic acid; methyl gallate; quercetin; quercetin-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside; 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose; and mannitol).

Reduces fever, high cholesterol and triglycerides, addresses cough, dermatitis, sprains, colds and chills. Has antioxidant activity.

Seribu nyamuk, Kupea.