Nierembergia hippomanica

Cupflower

Message of the Flower

Vital Joy in Matter

The Mother’s Comment

The reward for abolishing selfishness.

Spiritual Message by the Mother/ Quotes by Sri Aurobindo

Our material world is the result of all the others, for the other principles have all descended into Matter to create the physical universe, and every particle of what we call Matter contains all of them implicit in itself.

Sri Aurobindo, The Life Divine - I: The Ascending Series of Substance

Matter is the form of substance of being which the existence of Sachchidananda assumes when it subjects itself to this phenomenal action of its own consciousness and force.

Sri Aurobindo, The Life Divine - I: The Sevenfold Chord of Being

For one who knows how to see behind appearances, there is, hidden at the centre of this Matter—at the centre of each atom of this Matter—there is, hidden, the Supreme Divine Reality working from within, gradually, through the millennia, to change this inert Matter into something that is expressive enough to be able to reveal the Spirit within.

The Mother, Questions and Answers 1957 - 1958: 23 October 1957

Colour

Blue violet, White or light blue with a darker center.

Family

Solanaceae

Flower Size

Small, about 1-2 inches in diameter.

Flower Texture

Smooth

Number of Petals

Five

Floral Symmetry

Radially symmetrical.

Fragrance of Flower

Little to no fragrance.

Leaf Texture

Smooth to slightly hairy.

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Color

Green

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Herbaceous perennial or subshrub.

Life Cycle

Perennial in its native habitat but often grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Blooming Period

Summer to fall.

Climate

Prefers temperate to subtropical climates.

Water Requirements

Moderate; requires well-drained soil and does not tolerate waterlogging.

Soil Type

Well-drained, fertile soils.

Temperature Ranges

Tolerates a wide range but prefers cooler temperatures than most Solanaceae.

Sun or Shade

Prefers full sun to partial shade.

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Susceptible to common pests like aphids and diseases such as powdery mildew in humid conditions.

Pollinators

Attracts bees and other pollinators.

Habitat

Native to South America.

Role in the Ecosystem

Provides nectar for various pollinators.

Ornamental

Widely used in borders, containers, and as a ground cover due to its ornamental value.

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Mainly ornamental.

Endangered Status

Not listed as endangered; cultivated widely.