

How to identify Cape leadwort (Plumbago auriculata)
Cape leadwort, also known as Blister bush, Cape plumbago
Cape leadwort is characterized by its lush, spreading habit, reaching heights of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) and widths equally as wide. It displays oblong to oval leaves, each extending to 2 inches (5 cm) long with a vivid green hue. The most striking feature is its profusion of phlox-like flowers, typically a sky-blue to pale blue color, with tubular corollas flaring into 5 petals arranged in a terminal cluster. These blossom clusters generously cover the plant, mainly during warmer months, offering a vibrant display. Their appeal is heightened by their dormant state in winter, allowing for a significant visual transformation each year.
Spreading habit, up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and wide.
Phlox-like flowers in sky-blue to pale blue color.
Barbed capsules aiding in seed dispersal, under 0.2 inches (5mm) long.
Obovate leaves with crenulate margins, 0.4 to 1 inch (10 to 25mm) long.
Delicate flowers, 1 inch (2.5cm) across, in pale blue to pinkish hues.
Cape leadwort features obovate leaves that are 0.4 to 1 inch (10 to 25mm) long, with a pale, light green color. The leaves are alternate, simple, and display crenulate margins. Each leaf base has winged, ear-shaped appendages. The leaves grow abundantly in the axils, contributing to the plant’s dense and bushy appearance. They are thin and lack toothed edges, showcasing a distinctive texture and pattern that aids in identifying the plant.
The flowers of cape leadwort exhibit a delicate and soft color palette that varies from pale blue to pinkish, and occasionally white. They are phlox-like, formed into rounded terminal clusters at the tips of new growth. Each flower is approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, consisting of five petals fused at the base into a narrow tube. These blooms have a subtle fragrance and appear from summer to fall in temperate regions and year-round in tropical climates.
The fruit of cape leadwort presents as a distinctive, barbed capsule. Upon maturation, the capsule develops a sticky texture that aids in seed dispersal by adhering to passing animals or objects. These capsules are typically inconspicuous in color, blending with the surrounding foliage, but each capsule is strategically designed with hooks that facilitate its attachment. The shape is small and inconspicuous, generally measuring under 0.2 inches (5 mm) in length, and encases the seeds until they are effectively dispersed to a suitable growing location.
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Scientific Classification of Cape leadwort