By Malinda Geisler, content specialist, AgMRC, Iowa State University, malindag@iastate.edu.
 
Profile updated December 2007 by Vikram Koundinya, graduate student, Iowa State University.

Overview

Cuphea (koo fee ah) is an oilseed crop that offers potential as an ingredient for toothpastes, shampoos and detergents. It produces a small oilseed that contains high levels of lauric acid, a natural fatty acid, offering an alternative to imported coconut and palm kernel oils. With the fluctuations in price and diminishing supply of coconut and palm kernel oil, U.S. detergent companies are working to develop alternative sources of lauric acid. Procter and Gamble has been involved in developing cuphea for 20 years.

Cuphea's properties are also being researched as an additive for biodiesel with cold-flow properties equivalent to or better than those of petroleum diesel. For example, aircraft fuel thickens below -20 degrees C, creating pumping problems, but the addition of cuphea oil reduces the fuel's freezing point. 

The plant genus Cuphea has about 260 species, but only a few of these species are used commercially. It is an annual that is naturally indeterminate, prone to shattering and sticky. Depending on the variety, the plant grows eight to 16 inches tall and is cross- or self-pollinating. It originated from Mexico and Central America. Family Lythraceae offers the best opportunities for commercialization.

Research in recent years has focused on development of a non-shattering, non-dormant species. Field trials in the Midwest suggest the crop could be grown in a corn and soybean rotation using the same farm equipment. Trials have also shown cuphea helped reduce corn rootworm infestations when used in rotation. In 2006, 300 acres of the crop were grown in the United States.

• Breakthroughs Toward the Domestication of Cuphea, Purdue University, 1993. 
• Cuphea, Ag Innovation News, Ag Utilization Research Institute, 2003.
• Cuphea, National Non-Food Crops Centre, United Kingdom.
• Cuphea: A New Plant Source of Medium-chain Fatty Acids, National Institute of Health.
• Cuphea and Other New Crops Featured, Technology Crops International, North Carolina. 
• Cuphea, Western Illinois University’s Alternative Crops Research Program.

Other Links

• 2005 Cuphea Progress in Illinois, ARS, 2006 - During the 2005 season, cuphea was grown at five different locations in Illinois. Problems associated with growing cuphea are discussed and how these challenges were addressed. Also, seed yields and herbicides types are addressed as well future planting conditions and locations.

• Agricultural management of cuphea and potential for commercial production in the northern Corn Belt, Industrial Crops and Products journal, 24, 2006 - This ARS research project focused on developing best management practices for cuphea production using conventional technologies and minimizing the need for specialized equipment. The long-range goal is to provide an economically viable new crop to help diversify cropping systems in the northern United States.

• Cuphea, Interactive European Network for Industrial Crops and their Applications, 2002 - This report gives information on quality characteristics, market potential and production details of cuphea.
• Cuphea: New crop designed to replace imported oils, Farm and Ranch Guide, 2005 - This article talks about uses of cuphea. Research indicates that cuphea has the potential to become a major specialty oilseed crop in the United States.
• Making jet fuel in your fields; runway not included, The Land magazine, 2007 - Cuphea seeds contain virtually the same carbon chain used in JP8, the fuel used for military jets, leading USDA researchers to consider this renewable fuel source.

• Warm Climate Production of Cuphea species for Florida, University of Florida, 2004 - This publication gives a brief description of different species of cuphea. It also provides production guidelines for cuphea.