Heliotropium calcareum (Indian Heliotrope; Khashafah (Arabic))
Botanical Information
| Family | Boraginaceae |
| Genus | Heliotropium |
| Species | calcareum |
| Category | Tropicals |
| Origin | Native to Asia. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | In the Philippines this plant is chiefly used as a traditional medicine. Extracted juice from the leaves are used on wounds, skin ulcers and furuncles. The juice is also used for conjunctivitis as an eye drop. The leaves are also used as a poultice. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cool season preotection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Height | 15 - 50 cm |
| Growth | Slow |
| Flowering Period | January, February, March, April, May |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | A perennial with a woody base and few branches up to 50 cm in height. |
| Shape | Erect and bushy. |
| Landscape | Groundcover, hedges and mass planting. |
| Cultivation | Full sun and partial-shade in well-drained and moist soil. |
| Habitat | Sand, gravel plains, low mountains and terraces. |
| Leaf Description | The stem has little hairs. The leaves are alternating ovate to oblong-ovate, 1 cm wide and 1 - 2 cm long with prominent veins and undulate margins. |
| Flower Description | The flowers are small, 5 stamens borne on a corolla tube and is 4 lobed. |
| Colour Description | The leaves are greyish-green while the flowers are white with a green calyx. |
| Texture Description | The stem appears hairy. |
Photographs
