Plumbago
- Phonetic Spelling
- plum-BAY-go
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Plumbago is a tropical genus of woody shrubs, but it can be grown in the southern part of the United States. It is a member of the leadwort family (Plumbaginaceae). The genus is native to the tropics and warm temperate zones worldwide. The genus name is compounded from Latin words plumbum ("lead") and agere ("to resemble"). The name may allude to the lead-like blue flowers of some species, the leaden blue stain caused by the sap or the belief that it could cure lead poisoning
Species in this genus can be grown as houseplants, woody or herbaceous perennials, and groundcovers. The plants can spread through underground stems and often form mats in the landscape.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It can cause contact dermatitis so wear gloves when handling the plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- P. auriculata
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- P. auriculata
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Plumbago
- Family:
- Plumbaginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropics & Subtropics
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 5-parted flowers with spreading lobes appear in the late spring or early summer. The calyx is covered with glandular hairs that secrete a sticky substance.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves that can turn red in the fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
