Peruvian Heliotrope Heliotropium arborescens
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Heliotropium peruvianum
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-oh-TROH-pee-um ar-bor-ESS-enz
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Heliotrope is a tender perennial shrub grown as a summer annual or container plant. In its natural tropical range, it can grow 2 - 6 feet tall by 6 - 8 wide. It is strongly fragrant with a vanilla-like scent.
All parts of the plant are poisonous, but toxic to humans only if consumed in large quantities. However, it is toxic to horses and can induce liver failure. Although not very palatable, it will be eaten by animals with no other forage, or when hay is contaminated.
- 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:
- Heliotropium
- Species:
- arborescens
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western South America
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small, on a slender, coiled, stem. The buds are a deep lilac and lighten with age to almost white.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Rough, dark green leaves (to 3” long) are prominently veined.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Horses
