Billardiera heterophylla
Australian bluebell, Australian Bluebell
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Family: Pittosporaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Billardiera heterophylla (Australian bluebell) is a non-native California vine in the Pittosporaceae family, recognized by Only climbing member of Pittosporaceae in California, rare Australian escape with distinctive cylindrical fruits.
Australian bluebell is a naturalized shrub found in central and southern California coastal regions in disturbed areas at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from April to November, this plant produces pendulous flowers with ovate petals 8 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems and distinctively shaped leaves 3 to 6 centimeters long, it forms an elegant and somewhat delicate shrub. Its leaves are lanceolate to narrow-ovate, with short petioles up to 0.5 centimeters long. The fruit is cylindrical, approximately 1.3 to 2 centimeters long and nearly black when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only climbing member of Pittosporaceae in California, rare Australian escape with distinctive cylindrical fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: native to western Australia
Bloom period
Billardiera heterophylla blooms Apr-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Mertensia: Billardiera is a woody climbing vine; Mertensia is herbaceous with blue flowers in coiled clusters.; vs Pittosporum: Billardiera climbs as a vine with blue flowers; Pittosporum is upright tree/shrub with white or dark flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Billardiera heterophylla native to California?
No. Billardiera heterophylla is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Billardiera heterophylla bloom?
Billardiera heterophylla blooms Apr-Nov.
What plant family does Billardiera heterophylla belong to?
Billardiera heterophylla is in the Pittosporaceae family, genus Billardiera.
What habitat does Billardiera heterophylla grow in?
Billardiera heterophylla grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.