Heliotropium europaeum

Heliotropium europaeum is a species of heliotrope known by the common names European heliotrope and European turn-sole.

Description

Heliotropium europaeum is an annual herb growing from a taproot and reaching maximum heights near. The stem and oval-shaped leaves are covered in soft hairs. The inflorescences are coiled spikes of fragrant, white flowers with fuzzy or bristly sepals. Each flower is just a few millimeters wide. The fruit is a bumpy nutlet.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to Eurasia and North Africa, but it is widely naturalized elsewhere, such as in Australia and North America. It grows as a roadside weed in some places.

Toxicity

It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is poisonous.