Scientific Name
Heliotropium amplexicaule Vahl
Common Names
Blue Heliotrope
Origin
South America
Family
Boraginaceae
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a hairy, erect or prostrate perennial (living more than one season) herb with fine hairs.
Leaves are sessile (having no stalk), lance shaped (long and thin), up to 8cm long and are dull green. The leaf tip is broadly rounded to pointed, margins are undulate. The lamina (broad section of the leaf) is finely hairy.
Flowers are purple or lilac with a yellow centre and appear often on an arched stem.
Fruit has a succulent coating which becomes wrinkled at maturity, and separates into 2 two segments each containing 1 seed.
Sources & References
"Weeds - an illustrated botanical guide to weeds of Australia" by B. A. Auld and R. W. Medd
"Plantnet FloraOnline" (2005) https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
Prepared by Justin KY Chu, July 2005
Checked by IEWF, November 2006