Oxypetalum coeruleum

Oxypetalum coeruleum is a species of flowering plant, native to South America from southern Brazil to Uruguay. The synonymous name Tweedia caerulea is also used. Growing to 100 cm (39 in) long,[2] it is a straggling evergreen perennial with heart shaped, gray-green, downy leaves. It is grown for its clear pale blue, star-shaped flowers, which are long lasting and cut well. The summer flowers age to purple and are followed by 30 cm (12 in) long, boat-shaped seed pods. The seeds have downy parachute-like tufts (cypsela).

Oxypetalum coeruleum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Oxypetalum
Species:
O. coeruleum
Binomial name
Oxypetalum coeruleum
(D. Don ex Sweet) Decne.
Synonyms[1]
  • Tweedia caerulea D. Don ex Sweet
  • Tweedia versicolor Hook.

The cultivar 'Alba' has white flowers, while 'Rosea' has pink flowers.

Oxypetalum coeruleum requires full sun in a well-drained soil that is dry. Propagation is via seed.[3] With a minimum temperature range of 3–5 °C (37–41 °F), it can be grown outdoors in a frost-free, sheltered environment. Alternatively it can be grown as an annual.[2]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][5]

References
  1. The Plant List
  2. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  3. Botanica's Organic Gardening, Random House Publishing, Sydney, 2002, ISBN 1-74051-426-2
  4. "RHS Plant Selector - Tweedia caerulea". Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  5. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 103. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
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