Lord Roberts Heliotrope, Garden heliotrope
Heliotropium arborescens

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 30 cm to 1.3 m high. It can spread 2 m across. The stems are softly hairy. The leaves are oval and 3-8 cm long. The veins pucker the surface. The flowers have a sweet smell. The fruit have 4 nutlets with 1 seed each.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in Hawaii above 650 m altitude. It does well in full sun with constant moisture. Botanic gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andaman Is., Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Haiti, Hawaii, Marianas, North America, Pacific, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America (country/location of origin), Tasmania, USA, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves and flowers are used for flavouring.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, flavouring

How it is grown

It can be grown by short tip cuttings

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Heliotropium corymbosum Ruiz & Pavon; Heliotropium peruvianum L.; and others