Family: Boraginaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Heliotropium amplexicaule, commonly known as blue heliotrope or clasping heliotrope, is a flowering plant native to South America. It is recognized for its bright blue to violet clusters of small, fragrant flowers and distinctive clasping leaves that wrap around the stem. This low-growing perennial is sometimes used as an ornamental plant in gardens due to its colorful blooms and attractive foliage, which can add vibrant accents to landscaping.

Risks & Threats
This species is naturalized on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi, and potentially spreading on Kauaʻi. It possesses traits that are cause for concern, including rapid growth, dense ground cover, and prolific seed production, which allow it to outcompete native plants and alter habitat structure. Its presence can detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems by displacing native vegetation and reducing biodiversity. Because of these risks, it is recommended to choose a low-risk or native alternative if cultivating plants for landscaping or restoration projects.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands), Australia and elsewhere
  
• Agricultural and environmental weed in Australia (impacts in the Hawaiian Islands minimal or undocumented to date)
  
• Other Heliotropium species are invasive
  
• Palatable, but toxic, to animals
  
• Potentially toxic to people (but unlikely to be ingested)
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Able to reach maturity in <1 year
  
• Seeds dispersed externally by animals and people, by water, internally (survive gut passage), and sometimes as a produce contaminant
  
• Prolific seed production in Australia (but possibly not Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Tolerates mechanical damage and mowing; resprouts from roots

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite high risk and detrimental impacts, not regarded as a serious weed in the Hawaiian Islands to date
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to animals (despite toxicity)
  
• Ornamental uses
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively (but does resprout from roots after mechanical damage)
  
• Herbicides provide effective control