Heliotrope - Heliotrope (English spelling)

A horticultural name for several species of the genus Heliotropium in the family Boraginaceae (APG classification: Boraginaceae). Currently, the most commonly cultivated is H. arborescens L. ( H. corymbosum Ruiz et Pav.). A small shrub native to Peru, it grows to a height of about 1 meter. The leaves are alternate, broadly elliptical, pointed, and dark green. From May to September, racemes are produced at the tops of branched stems, and small dark purple or pale purple flowers bloom. It is usually cultivated in greenhouses or as a potted plant for decoration. H. peruvianum L. is a small shrub native to Peru, and has long been cultivated in Japan as heliotrope, but it is the same species as H. arborescens. It is also called kousuisou (perfume grass) or kousuibok (perfume tree), and although the flowers are slightly smaller than those of the previous species, they have a strong fragrance and produce a fragrant oil. It is usually propagated in autumn or spring by taking cuttings in fertile soil with good drainage, and kept at 5°C or higher in winter.

[Michiko Yamaguchi July 16, 2021]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ムラサキ科（APG分類：ムラサキ科）ヘリオトロピューム属の数種の園芸上の呼び名。現在一般的にはニオイムラサキH. arborescens L.（H. corymbosum Ruiz et Pav.）が栽培される。ペルー原産の小低木で、高さ約1メートル。葉は互生し、広楕円(だえん)形で先はとがり、暗緑色。5～9月、分枝した茎頂に総状花序をつくり、濃紫色または淡紫色の小花を開く。普通、温室内で栽培し、鉢植えにして観賞する。またキダチルリソウH. peruvianum L.はペルー原産の小低木で、日本でヘリオトロープと称して古くから栽培されてきたがニオイムラサキと同一種である。コウスイソウ（香水草）、コウスイボク（香水木）ともいい、花は前種に比べるとやや小さいが、芳香が強く、香油をとる。繁殖は普通、秋または春に、排水のよい肥沃(ひよく)地に挿芽をし、冬季は5℃以上に保つ。

［山口美智子　2021年7月16日］

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