Clasping heliotrope
Common Name:
heliotrope, clasping
Scientific Name:
Heliotropium amplexicaule
Family:
Boraginaceae
Lifecycle:
Perennial
Features
Low growing perennial dicot herb. Stem stiff, rough, pubescent. Leaves simple, alternate with stipules normally present at leaf base. Leaves lanceolate with pinnate venation. Inflorescence a curved cluster 5 to 20 cm in length of small flowers. Inflorescence is apical often with 2 or more separate inflorescence branches. Flowers five-fused petals, purple with yellow throat.
Description
Common plant along roadsides and infrequently mowed areas. Very attractive flowers with unique curved flower. Can be planted as a ground cover intermixed with low maintenance turf.