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fragrant heliotrope

Heliotropium amplexicaule

Fragrant heliotrope is a lovely flower known for its sweet smell. It has small purple flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making gardens more colorful and lively.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The fragrant heliotrope has dense, coiled clusters of small, five-petaled purple or deep violet flowers. Its rough, dark green leaves are often somewhat hairy, forming a bushy, spreading plant. The distinctive clusters resemble a scorpion's tail.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBoraginalesFamilyHeliotropiaceaeGenusHeliotropium
fragrant heliotrope
aromatic trait badgeflowering trait badgecluster_flower trait badgeshrub trait badge
fragrant heliotrope

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ancient Egyptians sometimes used a similar heliotrope plant in fragrant oils and perfumes.

Its flower clusters unfurl slowly, like a tiny green scroll revealing purple jewels!

Some people say its amazing smell reminds them of warm cherry pie or grape soda!

The name 'heliotrope' comes from Greek, meaning 'sun-turner,' though it doesn't actually follow the sun.

Special abilities

Ability

Scent Signal

Fragrant heliotrope releases a sweet, vanilla-like scent that attracts pollinators from afar to its blooms.

Ability

Continuous Bloom

Its unique coiled flower stems allow it to produce new blooms continuously, extending its flowering season.

Ability

Natural Repellent

This plant produces special chemicals that make it unappetizing or harmful to most hungry herbivores.

Measurements & details

Height
30-60 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
0.3-0.5 cm
Bloom Season
Summer to Fall
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

collecting nectar and pollen

pollinates

Painted Lady butterfly

Vanessa cardui

feeding on its sweet nectar

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

visiting flowers for nectar

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before touching or smelling flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is fragrant heliotrope?

30-60 cm

How wide does fragrant heliotrope spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on fragrant heliotrope?

0.3-0.5 cm

When does fragrant heliotrope bloom?

Summer to Fall

Is fragrant heliotrope edible?

No

Is fragrant heliotrope toxic?

Moderate

What is fragrant heliotrope's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is fragrant heliotrope pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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