Accession Count: 19
Common Name:
cape plumbago, leadwort, skyflower
Family Name:
Plumbaginaceae
Botanical Name:
Plumbago auriculata
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Plumbago auriculata is an evergreen herbaceous shrub growing 6 to 10 feet tall with an 8 to 10 foot spread at maturity (1, 3, 4). The leaves are oblong to 3 inches, and the stems are weak and bend easily, making the overall structure loose and sprawling. From spring until frost, pale blue 5 petaled flowers grow to 1 inch wide in terminal clusters (1, 2, 3, 4).
Compound:
Plu aur
Geographic Origin:
South Africa
Ecozone Origin:
Afrotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
P. auriculata is native to South Africa where it has been distributed to the southern Cape, Eastern Cape and into KwaZulu-Natal. It also inhabits Gauteng and the adjacent areas of the Free State and North West Province. There is also an isolated distribution in Mpumalanga(6).
Cultivation Notes:
Leadwort takes up a lot of space in a garden, and young plants or seeds should be planted somewhere with plenty of room to grow. Plant in full sun or slight shade, (1, 2, 3, 4) but in arid climates, the shrub will do best with some afternoon shade in the summer (3). While it is drought tolerant (1, 2, 3, 4), more frequent watering will contribute to faster growth; less water will lead to a smaller size but more flowers (3). Tolerant to most soils, but does best in sandy, well-drained locations (3, 4).
Ethnobotany:
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
