Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata, Encycl. 2: 270 (1786))

Family: Plumbaginaceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Encycl. 2: 270 (1786)

Year: 1786

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Plumbago

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Mozambique to S. Africa

Description

Plumbago, scientifically known as Plumbago auriculata, is a captivating and widespread flowering plant cherished for its ornamental value. Found natively from Mozambique to South Africa, this species has seamlessly integrated itself into warm climates across the globe, making it a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers alike. The name “Plumbago,” which belongs to the Plumbaginaceae family, indicates its longstanding botanical heritage, with its formal description penned in 1786 by the botanist Lam.

This perennial plant is particularly renowned for its striking blue or white flowers, which bloom abundantly in clusters, creating a visually stunning display from spring through autumn. The delicate, tubular flowers attract various pollinators, including butterflies and bees, making Plumbago a supportive addition to biodiversity in gardens.

One of the notable features of Plumbago auriculata is its vigorous growth habit and adaptability. In warm climates, it can thrive as a sprawling shrub or be trained as a climbing vine, making it incredibly versatile for different landscape designs. This plant’s rapid growth and dense foliage are supportive in creating privacy screens or lush ground covers under the right conditions.

Beyond its aesthetic value, Plumbago has practical gardening benefits. It is relatively low-maintenance, tolerant to drought once established, and resistant to many pests and diseases common in other garden plants. It prefers full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, and benefits from regular pruning to maintain its shape and encourage more prolific blooming.

In essence, Plumbago auriculata is a standout species within the Plumbaginaceae family, admired for its beauty and resilience. Its extraordinary adaptability and vibrant blooms make it a prized addition to gardens, providing ecological benefits and visual pleasure for those who cultivate it.

Common Names

Eng: blister leaf, cape leadwort, plumbago, quaker, quaker blossom, blue plumbago
Ita: gelsomino azzurro
Spa: jazmin azul, azulina, celestina, jasmín azul, malacara
Deu: kap-bleiwurz
Por: bela-emília, jasmim-azul, jasmim-do-cabo, jasmineiro-azul, plumbago-azul
Swe: blyblomma
En: Plumbago, Cape leadwort, Leaderwort, Blister leaf, Quaker, Quaker Blossom, Blue plumbago, Cape Plumbago
Ar: رصاصية أذنية
Bn: নীল চিতা
Ca: Gessamí blau
Zh: 藍雪花
Cs: Olověnec ouškatý
Da: Blå Blyrod
Nl: Mannentrouw, Loodkruid, Loodplant
Fi: Kapinlyijykukka, Sinilyijykukka
Fr: Dentellaire du Cap, Dentelaire du Cap, Plumbago du Cap, Blue Dark
De: Kap-Bleiwurz, Südafrikanische Bleiwurz
He: עופרית הכף
It: Gelsomino azzurro
Ml: നീലക്കൊടുവേലി
No: Blyrot
Fa: یاس آبی
Pl: Ołownik uszkowaty
Pt: Bela-emília, Jasmim-azul, Jasmim-do-cabo, Jasmineiro-azul, Plumbago-azul
Pt-br: Dentelária-do-cabo, Bela-emília, Jasmim-do-cabo
Sk: Olovník uškatý
Es: Azulina, Malacara, Celestina, Jasmín azul, Jazmín azul, Jazmin azul, Jazmín del cielo, Jazmín celeste
Sv: Blyblomma
Zh-tw: 藍雪花
Th: พยับหมอก

Synonyms

• Plumbago capensis var. alba ((Carrière) Pynaert)
• Plumbago alba (Pasq.)
• Plumbago capensis f. alba (Carrière)
• Plumbago grandiflora (Ten.)
• Plumbago auriculata f. alba ((Pasq.) T.H.Peng)
• Plumbago capensis (Thunb.)
• Plumbagidium auriculatum ((Lam.) Spach)

Distribution

• Cape Provinces (native)
• Free State (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 22, 2018 by Jhonnatan Castañeda (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2017 by René Jaquet (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 19, 2019 by Antonio Barba Herrers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2020 by Elodie Cordier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Ahodges7 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 6, 2022 by Reales (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 23, 2019 by lamri ketfi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2018 by Gino Elio Migani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 5, 2021 by Alice NIHOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by marjoriegile (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2021 by evert vermander (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2017 by m h goujon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2017 by Rocio Torres (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 7, 2021 by dotras martin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2019 by Jaco Breytenbach (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2019 by Flo v (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Fabienne fehrenbach (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2020 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3082283)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:687056-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Plumbago auriculata Lam.)

Specifications

Growth