Cuphea ignea is a tropical, woody perennial (or a subshrub) with small, lance-shaped or eliptical bright green leaves.
But it is undoubtedly grown for its striking tubular shaped flowers that are orange and black with a white tip - hence the resemblance to a cigar.
We prefer to see them as resembling a firecracker with the extended pistil looking rather like a fuse !
A useful mid border plant and also goes very well in pots and tubs on your patio with the added bonus of attracting birds and butterflies to your garden.
In tropical regions they will flower all year round in cooler climates they need taking indoor over winter.