In this collection, you will find many of the plants that are housed in our Conservatory and are visited frequently by our butterflies.  In addition, many of the plants in our outdoor  butterfly gardens are also listed.   

The first item for each plant is its Latin name and this link will take you to additional information about the species.

Heliotropium angiospermum

 

Scientific Name: Heliotropium angiospermum
Common Name: Scorpion Tail
Native Location: Florida, Texas, Central and South America
Description: Scorpion Tail is so named because its small white flowers are arranged along a curved spike.  Unlike the better known purple-flowered Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens), the flowers of Scorpion Tail are not fragrant.  It is a good nectar source, however, and it blooms continuously in our conservatory where the butterflies flock to it.  For this reason, Butterfly Heliotrope is another common name for this plant.  In its native habitat, it grows as a small shrub 3-4 feet tall.  It grows best in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established.  It does self-seed freely.  Removing spent blooms will cut down on unwanted seedlings and promote longer bloom.

Scorpion Tail w/Paper Kite  Scorpion Tail  Scorpion Tail  Scorpion Tail w/Brown Longwing  Scorpion Tail  Scorpion Tail w/Paper Kite