Plumbago capensis Thunb.   Plumbaginaceae (Leadwort Family)   South Africa   Blue Cape Plumbago

                                         July Photo            

Plant Characteristics: Semi-climbing subshrub or in the greenhouse upright and straggling, glabrous except in the infl.; lvs. oblong or oblong-spatulate, about 2 in. long, obtuse and shortly mucronate, tapering into short petiole; fls. in short spikes, azure-blue; corolla-tube about 1 1/2 in. long, salverform, with slender tube and 5 spreading lobes; stamens free from corolla; calyx tubular, pubescent, with naked glands on upper part, scarious only between the 5 ribs, the 5 short lobes erect; fr. a membranaceous circumscissile caps., the deciduous part often splitting into 5 valves from below.

Habitat:  Escape from cultivation.

Name:  Latin, plumbago, lead, of doubtful application.  (Bailey 786).  Capensis refers to the geographic origin of the plant, that is, the Cape of Good Hope.  (Bailey 12).

General:  Rare in the study area having been found only once and this at bay level along the path from Mariners Dr. to Northstar Beach.  Although I have not noticed any, there are probably more plants at the top of the bluffs in areas where homes abut the bluff tops and landscaping has grown or been thrown over the bank.  (my comments).     About 6 species, a few grown in greenhouses or out-of-doors in warm countries.  (Bailey 786).

Text Ref:  Bailey 786.

Photo Ref:  July 1 85 # 2,3,4,5.

Identity: by R. De Ruff.

First Found: July 1985.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 250.

Plant specimen donated to UC Riverside in 2004.

Last edit 8/7/05.

                                             July Photo