Heliotropium amplexicaule

Heliotropium amplexicaule is a species of heliotrope known by several common names, including clasping heliotrope, blue heliotrope, and summer heliotrope. It is native to South America, especially Argentina, but it is known on several other continents where it is an introduced species, and in some areas such as eastern Australia, a noxious weed.

Heliotropium amplexicaule
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Heliotropium
Species:
H. amplexicaule
Binomial name
Heliotropium amplexicaule
Synonyms

Cochranea anchusifolia
Heliotropium anchusifolium

This is a clumpy perennial herb growing branching, hairy stems to about half a meter in maximum height. It has abundant foliage of oblong wavy-edged green leaves four to nine centimeters long. The curving terminal spike inflorescences hold several tiny bright purple flowers with rounded lobes and tubular yellow throats. The fruits are paired rough-surfaced nutlets.

Biological pest control is being investigated for reducing the spread of this plant in New South Wales and surrounding areas in Australia. The blue heliotrope leaf beetle, Deuterocampta quadrijuga, has shown promise, as has the flea beetle now called blue heliotrope flea beetle (Longitarsus spp.).

Toxicity

Heliotropium amplexicaule contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is poisonous.[1] This plant competes with desirable pastures and causes toxicity to stock.[2]

References
  1. The MERCK Veterinary Manual, Table 5. "Important Poisonous Vascular Plants of Australia". Archived from the original on 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  2. Weed profile: Blue heliotrope Retrieved 19 May 2009


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.