Heliotrope is a tender perennial shrub grown as a summer annual or florist plant. In its natural tropical range, it can grow 2 to 6 feet tall by 6 to 8 feet wide, although plants up to 2 feet tall and wide are the norm. It is strongly fragrant with a vanilla-like scent. The species epithet is Latin for "becoming tree-like," in allusion to its large size under ideal conditions. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but toxic to humans only if consumed in large quantities. However, it is toxic to horses and can induce liver failure. Although not very palatable, it will be eaten by animals with no other forage, or when hay is contaminated. More information on Heliotropium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.