Cuphea viscosissima

Cuphea viscosissima, also known as waxbush, blue waxweed,^[3][4] clammy cuphea or (ambiguously) as "tarweed",^[1][5] is an herbaceous plant in the loosestrife family. It native to the eastern United States,^[6] where it is most often found in open, rocky calcareous areas.^[7][8] It is the most common and widespread Cuphea in the U.S.^[9]

Cuphea viscosissima
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Lythraceae
Genus:	Cuphea
Species:	C. viscosissima
Binomial name
Cuphea viscosissima Jacq.
Synonyms[1][2]
Cuphea petiolata (L.) Koehne Lythrum petiolatum L. Parsonsia petiolata (L.) Rusby

This species is notable for its sticky stems. It produces a purple-red flower in late summer.^[10] Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.^[8]

This species is morphological similar to Cuphea lanceolata, which is found in Mexico. It can be distinguished from Cuphea lanceolata by its smaller flower.^[9]