Oxypetalum coeruleum
Species of flowering plant
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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 | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| 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] | |
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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]