Heliotropium amplexicaule Vahl

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Photo: Bart Wursten
66, Duncan Rd, Suburbs, Bulawayo

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Synonyms:	Cochranea anchusifolia (Poir.) Gürke Heliotropium anchusifolium Poir.
Common names:
Frequency:	Locally very common.
Status:	Introduced
Description:	Erect perennial herb, up to 50 cm tall, often forming extensive clumps Leaves alternate or sessile, elliptic-oblong, 4-9 cm long, roughly hairy, particularly on the veins; margins with widely spaced shallow teeth, distinctly wavy. Flowers in terminal heads of several curved, one-sided spikes (scorpioid cymes). Corolla bright purple with an orange-yellow throat. Fruit in small paired nutlets with a rough surface.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	amplexicaule: clasping the stem, referring to the leaves.
Habitat:	Introduced probably as a garden ornamental and now locally naturalized, particularly in the Bulawayo area, where it invades roadsides and gardens.
Altitude range: (metres)	1300 - 1450 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Native to Argentina but introduced and naturalized in other tropical regions; a declared weed in Australia.
Zimbabwe distribution:	W
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Wednesday 6 June 2012
Literature:	Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 30. Maroyi, A. (2006). Preliminary checklist of introduced and naturalized plants in Zimbabwe. Kirkia 18(2) Page 205. Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 422 - 423. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Heliotropium amplexicaule:

Our websites:

Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Heliotropium amplexicaule

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Heliotropium amplexicaule
African Plant Database: Heliotropium amplexicaule
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Heliotropium amplexicaule
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Heliotropium amplexicaule
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Heliotropium amplexicaule
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Heliotropium amplexicaule
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Heliotropium amplexicaule
JSTOR Plant Science: Heliotropium amplexicaule
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Heliotropium amplexicaule
Plants of the World Online: Heliotropium amplexicaule
Tropicos: Heliotropium amplexicaule
Wikipedia: Heliotropium amplexicaule