Heliotropum angiospermum
Family: Boraginaceae
Description: Annual or weak perennial, 30-70 cm tall, with erect to reclining stems. Leaves 2-6 cm long, ovate or broadly lanceolate. Flowers in unrolling racemes, the corolla 2.5-4 mm wide, with yellow center.
Field Identification: Typical uncurling inflorescence appearing as light colored caterpillars from a distance.
Plant Trivia:
Occurrence: Occurs on loamy soils in pastures and woods, often shaded. Known locally around Nueces Bay, Kingsville, and Alice. Native to Tropical America including Texas to Florida, Mexico through Central America.
Bloom Period: Apr-Dec
Plant Use: Used as ground cover. Nectar source for insects and Hummingbirds.
Dichotomous Key to the Genus Heliotropium is found in Texas Coastal Plants by Roy L. Lehman, Ruth O’Brien & Tammy White.
