Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

wild plumbago

Synonym(s):

Plumbago scandens

Genus species:

Plumbago zeylanica

Family:

Plumbaginaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

1 ft tall by 3-4 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Evergreen

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Understory shrub or use a group as a groundcover in a shady setting.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars

Larval host for Cassius blue.





Attracts butterflies, moths, and bees.

Native Habitats:

Coastal hammocks.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This species is grown primarily for its use as a butterfly plant. It is not as showy as the commonly grown introduced plumbago.



This species has a pan-tropical distribution.