Heliotropium curassavicum
Family: Boraginaceae
Plant Description: Low growing perennial with mostly reclining or prostrate stems to 40 cm or longer. Succulent- like 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: The Spanish name, Cola de mico, translates to “monkey’s tail” in reference to the curly flower heads.
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
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