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Clasping Heliotrope Heliotropium amplexicaule

Other Common Name(s):

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

Creeping heliotrope does best in sun or part shade with occasional watering. It is hardy to around 30° F as an evergreen perennial but is root hardy to 20° F. It should be pinched through summer to promote rebloom and to keep more compact. It will spread by rhizomes but can be root pruned to contain growth. Creeping heliotrope tolerates drought and survives neglect.

All parts of this plant are poisonous, but toxic only if eaten in large quantities.

More information on Heliotropium.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple flowers#tubular flowers#low maintenance#spreading#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#problem for horses#container plant
 
Form in February in Colonia, Uruguay
Form - February - Colonia - Uruguay Mael Taupin CC BY-NC 4.0
Leaves in July in Bastrop County, Texas
Leaves - July - Bastrop Co., TX Chet Burrier CC BY 4.0
Leaves and flowers in September in Bashewa, South Africa
Leaves/Flowers -September - Bashewa, South Africa Gerritvede CC BY-NC 4.0
Flower closeup in September in Kalawao County, Hawaii
Flower Closeup - September - Kalawao Co., Hi Ka_y_ak CC BY-NC 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple flowers#tubular flowers#low maintenance#spreading#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#problem for horses#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Heliotropium
    Species:
    amplexicaule
    Family:
    Boraginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Bolivia to Brazil and N. Argentina
    Distribution:
    Gulf Coast, Southeastern and MidAtlantic states
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
  • 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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Flowers appear in clusters on a slender, coiled, stem.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Rough, dark green leaves (to 3” long) are prominently veined.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Digestive upset and liver damage
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Pyrrolizidine alkaloid
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems