About Heliotropium curassavicum L.
Heliotropium curassavicum L. is a perennial herb that grows in two main forms: it can creep prostrate along the ground, or grow as a somewhat erect shrub reaching up to almost 0.5 m (1+1⁄2 ft) tall. Its stem and foliage are fleshy, with thick leaves that are oval or spade-shaped. It produces plentiful curled inflorescences, which hold coiling double rows of small bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is white with five rounded lobes and a purple or yellow throat. Its fruit is a smooth nutlet. This species is native to most of the Americas, ranging from Canada to Argentina, and including the West Indies and Hawaii. It occurs as an introduced species in Africa, Eurasia, and Australia, and is considered invasive in some of these areas. It grows best in salty soils, such as beach sand, alkali flats, and salt marshes, and is often found in disturbed coastal sites.
