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Leadwort
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Leadwort

Plumbago auriculata

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameLeadwort
DescriptionVigorous evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub featuring abundant clusters of delicate, sky-blue, phlox-like flowers that bloom nearly year-round in warm climates. The tubular flowers with five spreading petals create airy sprays of pale to medium blue blooms (also white or red in other species) that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Named for historical use in treating lead poisoning, though this is unproven. Fast-growing and versatile, used as hedge, ground cover, or climbing plant in tropical and subtropical gardens.
FamilyPlumbaginaceae
GenusPlumbago
TribePlumbagineae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A5 G(5)

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 5 fused sepals forming tubular, glandular (sticky) calyx, 5 fused petals forming long tube with 5 spreading lobes, 5 free stamens, 5 fused carpels (styles) with superior ovary

Features
  • Name 'Plumbago' from Latin 'plumbum' (lead), as plant historically believed to cure lead poisoning or treat plumbism. 'Auriculata' means 'eared,' referring to small ear-like appendages at leaf bases. 'Leadwort' also from lead association. About 24 Plumbago species worldwide
  • Flowers 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across with slender tube 1-1.5 inches long opening to 5 oval, spreading petals. Blooms sky-blue to pale blue (P. auriculata), white (P. zeylanica), or red-pink (P. indica). Arranged in terminal racemes 4-6 inches long. Blooms year-round in tropics, summer-fall elsewhere. Sticky, glandular calyx adheres to clothing
  • Evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub with scrambling, semi-climbing habit. Can be trained as climber, hedge, or ground cover. Fast-growing, reaching mature size in 2-3 years. Square stems in some species. Responds well to pruning and shaping
  • Grows 3-6 feet (1-2 m) tall as shrub, can climb to 10-12 feet (3-3.6 m) with support. Spread of 3-8 feet. Lifespan of 10-20+ years. Propagated easily from semi-hardwood cuttings (root in 3-4 weeks), division, or layering. Fast-growing, adding 2-3 feet per year
  • P. auriculata native to South Africa and Mozambique. P. zeylanica from tropical Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia). P. indica from tropical Asia. Now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide including southern United States, Mediterranean, Australia
  • Requires full sun to partial shade (6+ hours sun for best flowering). Adapts to various well-drained soils. Moderately drought tolerant once established. Heat and humidity tolerant. Salt tolerant for coastal gardens. Frost sensitive (damaged below 25°F/-4°C). Zones 8-11 outdoors
  • Used in traditional medicine systems (Ayurveda, Chinese medicine) for skin conditions, digestive issues, and as anti-inflammatory. P. zeylanica root used for various ailments. Modern research shows antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Caution: can cause skin irritation in some people
  • Excellent hedge, screen, or espalier plant. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Deer resistant. Sticky calyxes can be nuisance, adhering to clothing and pet fur. Ideal for tropical and subtropical landscapes. Provides continuous color with minimal care. Can become weedy in some tropical regions

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificPlumbago auriculata
English (Alternate)Cape Leadwort, Blue Plumbago, Blue Leadwort, Dwarf Plumbago, Hardy Plumbago, Sky Flower, Plumbago capensis
Hindiचित्रक (Chitrak), चीता (Chita), चितर (Chitara), चित्रकमूला (Chitrakamoola), नीला चित्रक (Neela Chitrak)
Tamilஅக்கினி (Akkini), கொடுவேலி (Koduveli), சித்திரமூலம் (Chithiramoolam), வெள்ளைக் கொடுவேலி (Vellai Koduveli)
Teluguచిత్రమూలం (Chitramulam), తెల్లచిత్రమూలం (Tellachitramulam), అగ్నిమాత (Agnimata), నీలచిత్రమూలం (Neelachitramulam)
Malayalamകൊടുവേലി (Koduveli), നീലക്കൊടുവേലി (Neelakkoduveli), ചിത്രമൂലം (Chitramoolam), വെള്ളക്കൊടുവേലി (Vellakkoduveli)
Kannadaಚಿತ್ರಮೂಲ (Chitramoola), ಚಿತ್ರಮೂಲಿಕೆ (Chitramulike), ನೀಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರಮೂಲ (Neeli Chitramoola)
Sanskritचित्रक (Chitraka), अग्निः (Agnih), दहन (Dahanah), रक्तचित्रक (Raktachitraka), अग्निशिखा (Agnishikha), नीलचित्रक (Neelachitraka)
Bengaliচিতা (Chita), চিতু (Chitu), রক্ত চিতা (Rakta Chita), নীল চিতা (Neel Chita)
FrenchDentelaire du Cap, Plumbago du Cap, Dentelaire bleue
RussianСвинчатка (Svinchatka), Свинчатка ушковидная (Svinchatka ushkovidnaya), Синяя свинчатка (Sinyaya svinchatka), Плюмбаго (Plyumbago)
SpanishPlumbago azul, Jazmín azul, Celestina, Plumbago del Cabo
GermanBleiwurz, Kap-Bleiwurz, Blaue Bleiwurz

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.