Grey-leaf heliotrope
Heliotropium ovalifolium

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 40-90 cm high. It can be erect or bend over. The stems are hairy. They are woody at the base. The leaf blades are 1-2.5 cm long by 4-13 mm wide. They are narrowly oval. They have hairs in both surfaces. The flower are at the ends of branches. They are small and white. The fruit is oval with 4 nutlets.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in open sunny places. It grows in hot and arid places with a marked dry season. It can grow in salty soils. It can grow in coastal sands. It grows from sea level to 1,635 m above sea level. It can tolerate shade. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Botswana, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indochina, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, North Africa, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are chewed as a substitute for tobacco. Caution: The leaves may be poisonous. They are used in medicine.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Embodi, Esigirait, Okambodi, Okanasana, Orujara, Sin-let-maung-gale

Synonyms

Helotropium apiculatum E. Mey. ex Drege; Heliotropium coromandelianum Retz. var. obovatum DC.; Heliotropium coromandelianum Retz.; Heliotropium coromandelianum Retz. var. ovalifolium (Forssk.) Lehm.; Heliotropium phyllosepalum Baker;