Common Name: Heliotrope

General Information

Heliotropium arborescens is an evergreen shrub growing up to about 2 metres tall.
Harvested from the wild for its medicinal purposes and essential oil, the plant is commonly grown as an ornamental plant and hedge in temperate (where it is grown as an annual) to tropical gardens[].

Known Hazards

The seeds are poisonous[].
No other specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, but many members of this plant family (Boraginaceae) are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional use is generally completely safe. They are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many pyrrolizidine alkaloids have pronounced hepatic toxicity, but the lungs and other organs may be affected as well. Mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have also been reported[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Bolivia, Peru, Columbia.

Habitat

Coastal: forests, lomas; at elevations from sea level to 3,500 metres.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Heliotropium arborescens is a plant of seasonally dry areas of the tropics, found from sea level to more than 3,000 metres. It cannot tolerate frost, though it grows quickly enough to be used as an annual in temperate gardens. It requires a minimum winter temperature of 5 - 7°c[]. Plants stop growing when night-time temperatures fall below 5°c and are likely to be killed once the temperature falls below -2°c[].
Prefers a rich well-drained soil in full sun[]. Plants grow best in a sandy loam[].
The plant turns its leaves and flowers so that it is always facing the sun during the day[].
The flowers have a most unusual perfume, somewhat like cherries baked in a pie[]. It is a good butterfly plant[, ].
There are many named varieties[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used to make a febrifugal tea[].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole fresh plant[]. It is used in the treatment of clergyman's sore throat and uterine displacement[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes used as a low hedge[].

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 25 days at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[]. High percentage. Because the plant is not hardy the cuttings would have to be grown in a greenhouse for the winter before planting them out in the spring.
Cuttings of young shoots in the spring[]. Because the plant is not hardy the cuttings would have to be grown in a greenhouse for the winter before planting them out in the spring.