General: Borage Family (Boraginaceae).
Heliotropium indicum, one of the largest heliotropes
found in Texas, is introduced, and is one of the few
annuals within this genus (in Texas). India heliotrope
grows upright (2-3 feet in height) and is very leafy,
when compared to other heliotropes. The leaves are
dark green, alternate, entire, and hispid (hairy). The
stems are also hispid. Flowers are blue or violet
(rarely white), and like all heliotropes, the younger
flowers are located towards the tip of the
inflorescence (flower cluster), while mature seed are
lower on the flower stalk.
There are approximately 14 species of Heliotropium
in Texas. Most are upland species found in the
western portions of the state. Six are commonly
found in wetlands. Most have white flowers,
although blue or violet is not uncommon.
Vegetatively, most heliotropes have smallish and
narrow leaves and the growth habit is prostrate, or
generally so. The seed head, and the way that the
flowers are restricted to the tips, is very characteristic
of the entire genus.