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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

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:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#year-round interest#herbaceous#tropical herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#cutting garden#evergreen shrub#border front#compact habit#tropical shrub#partial shade tolerant#tropical feel#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#year-round interest#herbaceous#tropical herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#cutting garden#evergreen shrub#border front#compact habit#tropical shrub#partial shade tolerant#tropical feel#annual
  • 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:
    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
  • 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
    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.
  • 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)
  • 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
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen