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Brazilian Snapdragon 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

A small compact, everblooming, evergreen shrub whose flowers resemble snapdragons (hence the common name).  The solitary flowers are concentrated near the branch tips.  They are blue in color and each has 2 petals.  The lower petal has a white streak at the throat.

This tropical or sub-tropical perennial can be grown indoors as a house plant or outdoors as an annual in areas outside tropical zones. As a perennial, it blooms almost all year and it has great cut flowers for arrangments.  When grown as an annual, it will bloom mid-summer to autumn.  It makes a great addition to a terrarium.  

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#year-round interest#herbaceous#tropical perennials#long bloom time#cutting garden#evergreen shrub#compact habit#tropical shrub#partial shade tolerant#tropical feel
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#year-round interest#herbaceous#tropical perennials#long bloom time#cutting garden#evergreen shrub#compact habit#tropical shrub#partial shade tolerant#tropical feel
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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:
    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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is an ovoid pubescent capsule.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    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 blue flower has 2 petals, the lower petal has a white streak. The flowers expand straight from the stem of the plant.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    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 that smell like minty-pine when crushed, are pale green with depressed veins. The leaves are attached directly to the plants base, not depending on any stalks.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen