Seaside Heliotrope, Cola de Mico

Heliotropium curassavicum

Family: Boraginaceae

Plant Description: Low perennial with mostly reclining or prostrate stems to 40 cm or longer. is a succulent herb. Leaves 1-5 cm long, oblanceolate, blue-green, glaucous and alternate. Flower in single or paired unrolling spikes, the corolla 2-3 mm wide, white or bluish with yellow throat.

Plant Trivia:

Field Identification: This halophyte has a rather pale color. Its inflorescence appears at a glance to be a caterpillar on the leaves.

Occurrence: Common on bay and Gulf beaches, salt flats, and other saline places

Bloom Period: Year-round.

Plant Use:

Key to other species of Heliotropium may be found in Plants of the Texas Coastal Bend by Roy L. Lehman, Ruth O’Brien and Tammy White