European heliotrope (Heliotropium europaeum, Sp. pl. 1:130. 1753)

Family: Boraginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:130. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Heliotropium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Europe to Medit. and India, Arabian Pen.

Description

European heliotrope, scientifically known as Heliotropium europaeum, is a notable species within the family Boraginaceae. This plant species was first cataloged in 1753 and has since been extensively documented.

Originating from Macaronesia, it has spread across Europe, the Mediterranean region, India, and the Arabian Peninsula. The European heliotrope grows in various environments, thriving in the varied climates and terrains that span these areas. Characterized by its small, delicate flowers, Heliotropium europaeum is easily recognizable and often found in fields and roadside habitats.

Despite its wide distribution, the European heliotrope is generally a modest plant, often overlooked due to its unassuming appearance. However, it plays a critical role in its native ecosystems, supporting various forms of wildlife and contributing to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits. Its resilience and adaptability make it an interesting subject for further botanical study and a valuable component of the flora in its native and adopted habitats.

Common Names

Eng: european heliotrope, european turnsole, wandarrie-curse, barooga-weed, caterpillar-weed, common heliotrope, heliotrope, hemp-agrimony, wild heliotrope, european turn-sole
Deu: europäische sonnenwende, sonnenwende, sonnenwendkraut, sonnwendkraut
Dan: europæisk heliotrop, lugtløs heliotrop
Spa: hierba verruguera, verrucaria
Fra: héliotrope d’europe
Swe: ogräsheliotrop
Ces: oto
Nld: europese heliotroop
En: European heliotrope, Wandarrie-curse, Barooga-weed, Common heliotrope, Wild heliotrope, Caterpillar-weed, Heliotrope, Hemp-agrimony, European turnsole, European Turn-sole
Ar: رقيب الشمس الأوروبي
Bg: Обикновена подсунка
Ca: Cua d’escorpí, Gira-sol bord, Gira-sol de camins, Heliotropi, Herba berruguera
Zh: 天芥菜
Cs: Otočník evropský, Oto
Da: Europæisk heliotrop, Lugtløs heliotrop
Nl: Europese heliotroop
Fi: Rikkaheliotrooppi
Fr: Héliotrope d’Europe, Héliotrope commun, Herbe de saint Fiacre, Girasol
De: Sonnenwende, Europäische Sonnenwende, Sonnenwendkraut, Sonnwendkraut
El: Αγριοσουσαμιά, Ηλιοτρόπιο
He: עוקץ-עקרב אירופי
It: Eliotropio selvatico, Erba porraia
No: Ugrasheliotrop
Fa: آفتاب‌پرست اروپایی
Pt: Erva-das-verrugas
Pt-br: Heliotrópio-europeu
Ru: Гелиотроп европейский
Sk: Skrutec európsky
Es: Verrucaria, Tornasol, Hierba verruguera, Heliotropo común
Sv: Ogräsheliotrop
Zh-tw: 天芥菜
Zh-hant: 天芥菜
Vi: Vòi voi châu Âu

Synonyms

• Heliotropium commutatum (Schult.)
• Heliotropium carduchorum (K.Koch)
• Heliotropium europaeum var. hebecarpum (H.Lindb.)
• Heliotropium majus (Garsault)
• Heliotropium glandulosum (R.Br.)
• Heliotropium vulgare (Gaterau)
• Heliotropium europaeum var. hispidula (P.Monts.)
• Heliotropium gymnocarpum (Borbás)
• Heliotropium oblongifolium (Hornem.)
• Heliotropium europaeum var. gymnocarpum (Borbás)
• Heliotropium europaeum subsp. tenuiflorum ((Guss.) Nyman)
• Heliotropium lacunarium (F.Muell.)
• Heliotropium dioscoridis (Bubani)
• Heliotropium subcanescens (Steven)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)

Additional Images

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

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

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

Leaf

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Martine Martine Souriau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 27, 2018 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2017 by Fernando Lozano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2018 by Duygu Ilgin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Acosta García Isabel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 7, 2019 by glen schler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Zeynep Ebru Aksoy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2022 by Sastre Oriol (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 25, 2020 by giovanni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2019 by Eiko Toda (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 13, 1998 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 1998 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 1998 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Georgia C (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2011 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2925767)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:116833-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Heliotropium europaeum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 6