Heliotropium amplexicaule
Fragrant heliotrope, Fragrant Heliotrope
(c) rowan_m, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Heliotropiaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Heliotropium amplexicaule (Fragrant heliotrope) is a non-native California herb in the Heliotropiaceae family, recognized by 0 sympatric species.
Fragrant heliotrope is a naturalized perennial herb found in southern coastal California in open sites and fields at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces small, fragrant purple flowers with yellow throats in spike-like clusters. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall and covered in short soft hairs, it spreads in dense mats. Its leaves are oblong to oblanceolate, 4 to 9 centimeters long, short-petioled, and also covered in soft short hairs. The fruit consists of two irregularly roughened nutlets that are faintly tubercled.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; 0 sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open sites, fields
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Solano, Ventura, Contra Costa, Alameda
Outside California: native to Argentina
Bloom period
Heliotropium amplexicaule blooms All year.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Lobularia: Heliotropium has tubular 5-petaled flowers; Lobularia has 4-petaled flowers with separate petals spreading flat.; vs Lantana: Heliotropium has flowers in one-sided coils; Lantana has flowers in flat-topped, dense rounded clusters.; vs Cryptantha: Heliotropium has flowers in continuous coiled spikes; Cryptantha has flowers spaced along straight stems.; vs Myoporum: Heliotropium has tiny flowers in coiled clusters; Myoporum has larger axillary flowers with spotted throats.; vs Phacelia: Heliotropium has an undivided style; Phacelia has a style split partway into 2 branches.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heliotropium amplexicaule native to California?
No. Heliotropium amplexicaule is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Heliotropium amplexicaule bloom?
Heliotropium amplexicaule blooms All year.
Where in California does Heliotropium amplexicaule grow?
Heliotropium amplexicaule occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Solano, Ventura, Contra Costa, Alameda, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Heliotropium amplexicaule belong to?
Heliotropium amplexicaule is in the Heliotropiaceae family, genus Heliotropium.
Is Heliotropium amplexicaule invasive in California?
Heliotropium amplexicaule is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.