Braamfontein Spruit Ecological Corridor

Wild Leadwort

Plumbago zeylanica

© (c) 阿元, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 阿元 (CC-BY-NC)

Description - from Wikipedia

Plumbago zeylanica, commonly known as Ceylon leadwort, doctorbush or wild leadwort, is a species of plumbago with a pantropical distribution. Carl Linnaeus described the paleotropical P. zeylanica and Neotropical P. scandens as separate species, but they are currently considered synonymous.

Description
Plumbago zeylanica is a herbaceous plant with glabrous stems that are climbing, prostrate, or erect. The leaves are petiolate or sessile and have ovate, lance-elliptic, or spatulate to oblanceolate blades that measure 5-9 × 2.5–4 cm in length. Bases are attenuate while apexes are acute, acuminate, or obtuse. Inflorescences are 3–15 cm in length and have glandular, viscid rachises. Bracts are lanceolate and 3-7 × 1–2 mm long. The heterostylous flowers have white corollas 17–33 mm in diameter and tubes 12.5–28 mm in length. Capsules are 7.5–8 mm long and contain are reddish brown to dark brown seeds.

Distribution and habitat
Plumbago zeylanica grows throughout the tropical and sub-tropical climates of the world, including Australia and India. In Australia, it grows in the understory of monsoon forests and vine thickets from sea level to 900 m. In Dhofar, Oman, this species is often found growing on Olea trunks.

Ecology
Plumbago zeylanica is a food plant for the Cassius blue (Leptotes cassius), marine blue (L. marina), and zebra blue (L. plinius) during their larval stages.

Traditional medicine
Early folk medicine used the crushed plant internally and externally as an abortifacient. In Ayurveda, P. zeylanica is known as chitrak, meaning "the spotted one". It is used with other herbs to lessen its intense pungency.

References
External links
Media related to Plumbago zeylanica at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Plumbago zeylanica at Wikispecies

Plumbago zeylanica in West African plants – A Photo Guide.

Read more here

Species Characteristics

Wildlife supported

Bees Bees
Birds Birds
Butterflies Butterflies

Tolerances & suitability

Drought-resistant Drought-resistant
Good garden plant Good garden plant

Growth features

Easy to grow Easy to grow
Hedge Hedge

Social features

Edible Edible
Medicinal Medicinal
Useful Useful

Aspect

Semi-shade Semi-shade
Shade Shade
Sun Sun

Plant types

Succession

Pioneer species Pioneer species

Spatial classification

Flowering Period
  • White
No flowering data available

Nursery availability

In stock

Start planning your restoration garden