Heliotropium sp.
Heliotrope, Heliotrope
(c) Nicolás Lavandero, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nicolás Lavandero · licence
Family: Heliotropiaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Heliotropium sp. (Heliotrope) is a non-native California perennial in the Heliotropiaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Heliotropium sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Heliotropium sp. belong to?
Heliotropium sp. is in the Heliotropiaceae family, genus Heliotropium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.