Shellflower

Shellflower refers to several distinct plants appreciated for their unique floral structures. The most common association is with the genus *Cuphea*, particularly *Cuphea hyssopifolia*, often called False Heather. This small evergreen shrub, native to Mexico and Guatemala, produces abundant tiny flowers that resemble miniature seashells. The flowers come in shades of lavender, pink, and white, and they bloom almost continuously in suitable climates. False Heather is popular as an ornamental plant for borders, containers, and mass plantings due to its delicate appearance and long flowering season.

Another plant sometimes called shellflower is *Alpinia zerumbet*, also known as Pink Porcelain Lily or Greater Galangal. This tropical rhizomatous perennial, native to Southeast Asia, is famous for its striking pendant flower clusters. The individual flowers are white and pink, shaped like delicate shells, and emerge from prominent, waxy, cone-like bracts that are also pinkish. These bracts are what give the plant its "shell" appearance. The flowers emit a sweet fragrance, and the plant is cultivated for its ornamental value and sometimes for its medicinal properties in traditional medicine.

A third plant that earns the shellflower moniker is *Talinum paniculatum*, commonly known as Fame Flower or Jewels of Opar. This succulent perennial, native to the Americas, produces airy sprays of small, star-shaped pink or rose flowers that open in the morning and close by afternoon. While not as literally shell-shaped as the other two, their delicate, ephemeral nature and clustered arrangement can evoke a similar imagery for some observers. It's often grown as a garden annual or in rock gardens for its dainty blooms and interesting foliage.