This is the second time Heliotropium foertherianum has made an appearance on Botany Photo of the Day. David Eickhoff’s image of the seaside plant in habitat caught my attention, as discussions are ongoing about possibly returning to Hawai’i early next year.
Lindsay wrote about the name, habitat, and distribution of octopus tree in the previous entry, while David has added some ethnobotanical uses as information with his images (e.g., see his photo of the bark).
To their accounts, I’ll add that the redefined Heliotropium consists of about three hundred species in tropical and temperate regions of the world. Life form types within the genus range from small trees to lianas (woody vines) to herbaceous perennials. Several are cultivated ornamentals, while other species are sometimes considered weeds.
Brings back many happy memories of visits to the Hawaiian islands over the years. Especially Kauai.
Always amazed how these tender and delicate looking trees can stand the salt winds, and how they quickly recovered after hurricane Iniki on Kauai 26 years ago!
Thanks for the beautiful shots.
One of the ethnobotanical uses David Eickhoff mentioned is for treatment of ciguatera fish poisoning. Checking that out was one scary read, particularly the suggestion quoted in Wikipedia that “ciguatera outbreaks caused by warm climatic conditions in part propelled the migratory voyages of Polynesians between 1000 and 1400”.
I’m enjoying the image, though, as I’ll be back to O’ahu in 21 days.
Yes, Heliotropium europeum L. is a common weed in Europe. The picture attached has been taken in Central Hungary.