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Heliotropium

Phonetic Spelling
hee-lee-oh-TROH-pee-um
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Heliotrope is a genus of half-hardy perennials which are usually grown as annuals but may be grown as perennial in zones 9 and 10. It is grown both for the attractive clusters of small flowers, which can be, blue, purple, or white, and have a delicate vanilla-almond fragrance. The older varieties are more fragrant.

It is found naturally in forests or wet areas. Heliotrope can be grown outdoors in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or indoors in a well-lighted area with some protection from the afternoon sun. It may bloom in spring, summer, or fall, depending on the cultivar.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
H. amplexicaule, H. arborescens
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#houseplant#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#pollinator plant#native wildflower#butterfly friendly#problem for horses#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
H. amplexicaule, H. arborescens
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#houseplant#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#pollinator plant#native wildflower#butterfly friendly#problem for horses#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Heliotropium
    Family:
    Boraginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical and temporate America, Europe
    Distribution:
    throughout North America
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, 5-parted, blue, purple, or white, on a slender, coiled, stem.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Digestive upset and liver damage over continued use; sometimes used in herbal teas.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems