Home | > | List of families | > | Boraginaceae | > | Heliotropium | > | amplexicaule |
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). |
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