Blue heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule, Symb. Bot. 3: 21 (1794))

Family: Boraginaceae

Author: Vahl

Bibliography: Symb. Bot. 3: 21 (1794)

Year: 1794

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Heliotropium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Bolivia to Brazil and N. Argentina

Description

Blue heliotrope, scientifically known as Heliotropium amplexicaule, is a striking and noteworthy member of the Boraginaceae family. This plant species was formally described by the botanist Vahl in the botanical literature titled “Symbolae Botanicae,” published in 1794. Renowned for its enchanting blue-violet flowers, Blue heliotrope prominently displays its blooms on the tops of the plant, offering a visually captivating floral arrangement.

Native to the region stretching from Bolivia to Brazil and extending into northern Argentina, Blue heliotrope thrives primarily in the warm and temperate climates of South America. The plant’s resilient nature allows it to adapt and flourish across diverse environments within this geographical range.

The foliage of Heliotropium amplexicaule is another distinctive feature, with its leaves often exhibiting a rich green hue and a texture that complements the ethereal beauty of its flowers. The plant’s flowers emit a pleasant fragrance, which was historically prized and led to its use in gardens and landscapes, although care must be taken as it has invasive tendencies in certain regions outside its native range.

Overall, Blue heliotrope is an intriguing species that combines beauty with resilience, making it a notable subject in botanical studies and a fascinating addition to nature’s exquisite tapestry in South America.

Common Names

Eng: clasping heliotrope, blue heliotrope, summer heliotrope, violet heliotrope, wild heliotrope, wild verbena
Ita: eliotropio purpureo
Fra: héliotrope
En: Blue heliotrope, Violet heliotrope, Wild heliotrope, Wild verbena, Clasping heliotrope, Summer heliotrope
Fr: Héliotrope, Héliotrope amplexicaule, Verveine marron, Herbe bleue
It: Eliotropio purpureo
Fa: آفتاب‌پرست تابستانی
Pt-br: Heliotrópio
Vi: Vòi voi xanh dương

Synonyms

• Heliotropium bolivianum (Rusby)
• Cochranea anchusifolia var. latifolia (Hicken)
• Heliophytum anchusifolium var. angustifolium (DC.)
• Heliotropium anchusifolium (Poir.)
• Heliophytum anchusifolium var. latifolium (DC.)
• Heliophytum lithospermifolium (DC.)
• Heliotropium semiamplexicaule (Larrañaga)
• Heliotropium montevidense (Arechav.)
• Heliotropium anchusifolium f. grandiflorum (Kuntze)
• Heliotropium lithospermifolium ((DC.) Speg.)
• Cochranea anchusifolia ((Poir.) Gürke)
• Heliotropium anchusifolium f. parviflorum (Kuntze)
• Heliophytum anchusifolium ((Poir.) DC.)
• Heliotropium anchusifolium var. angustifolium (Griseb.)
• Heliotropium anchusifolium f. medium (Kuntze)
• Heliotropium anchusifolium var. latifolium ((DC.) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Oct 12, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 31, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2020 by quentin GAUTHIER (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 8, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 8, 2020 by Camila Catarino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2022 by Hem B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by Mandy Bate (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 25, 2021 by Magalie Delalande (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 21, 2022 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2022 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2022 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2925790)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:116657-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Heliotropium amplexicaule Vahl)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth