Information about the propagation of Cuphea calophylla subsp. mesostemon (Koehne) Lourteig (Lythraceae) is scarce. Propagation techniques may support its management, providing an alternative for medicinal plant producers and avoiding indiscriminate harvests. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different types, sizes and leaf areas of semi-woody cuttings on their rooting. Cuttings were obtained from weeds harvested at the Canguiri Experimental Station of the Paraná Federal University (UFPR), Pinhais Municipality, Paraná State, Brazil. Experiments were carried out in a greenhouse. Experimental design was completely randomized, with five replicates and 24 cuttings per plot. Cuttings obtained from vegetative branches had higher sprouting percentage and root dry matter per cutting relative to those obtained from reproductive branches, especially cuttings obtained from the basal region of vegetative branches. Cuttings prepared with 10 and 15 cm length had larger number of sprouts and higher root dry matter per cutting relative to those prepared with 5 cm. Cuttings presenting 3 and 4 leaf pairs had greater height, increase in height, and root and sprout dry matter per cutting relative to those presenting 1 and 2 leaf pairs. The results regarding vegetative propagation indicate cutting as a viable technique for the multiplication of this species.
cutting; medicinal plants; adventitious rooting
