Amazon Blue Achetaria azurea
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Otacanthus azureus
- Otacanthus caeruleus
- Stemodia azurea
- Tetraplacus taubertii
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-eh-TAR-ee-uh ah-ZUR-ee-ah
- Description
-
Brazilian Snapdragon is an evergreen subshrub in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) native to southeastern Brazil.
This shrub will grow 3-4 feet outdoors but smaller in a pot. It needs well-drained slightly acidic soil in full sun to partial shade with regular watering and fertilization. Propagation is by seeds or stem cuttings.
In its tropical habitat, Brazilian Snapdragon will bloom throughout the year. If grown as an annual or indoors it will bloom spring through fall. The 2-petaled flowers resemble snapdragon flowers and are violet-blue with a white mark at the throat. The leaves are green with a minty fragrance when crushed.
Grow this plant in a pot outdoors in summer and bring it indoors for winter, providing 4-6 hours of sun in a window. It can be used in the garden border, the cutting garden or en masse as an annual in zones lower than 9.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Achetaria
- Species:
- azurea
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Edibility:
- Not edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an ovoid pubescent capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Each violet-blue flower has 2 petals, the lower petal has a white streak. The flowers expand straight from the stem of the plant.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves smell like minty pine when crushed, and are green with depressed veins. The leaves are attached directly to the stem (sessile)
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Stems have a variety of colors including brown, green, and a tint of red.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
