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Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Image of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Carol Cloud Bailey

Family

Verbenaceae

Botanical Name

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Plant Common Name

Blue Snakeweed, Jamaica Vervain

General Description

Attracting butterflies and hummingbirds year-round with its spikes of flowers, this low sprawling shrub is native throughout tropical America (including southern Florida). The small trumpet-shaped flowers open successively from the bottom to the top of long, slender, whip-like flower spikes. Flower color varies from deep to pale purple to blue-purple. Inconspicuous fruits follow, often resulting in self-sown seedlings. Plants are clothed in oval, jaggedly toothed, medium green leaves that are corrugated with sunken veins.

Grow blue porterweed in full to partial sun and well-drained, moist to fairly dry, moderately fertile soil. Use it as a groundcover, in naturalistic plantings, or in the mixed border or cottage garden. It also works as a fast-growing, heat-loving annual and can be used in seaside gardens if not fully exposed to saltspray. Remove spent flower spikes to promote continued bloom and prevent self-sowing.

This plant is considered invasive in several areas including Hawaii.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 12

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    14"-24" / 35.6cm - 61.0cm (18)

  • Width

    3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Southeastern United States, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, Caribbean, Central America, South America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought, Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Very Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Spreading

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Blue, Purple, Lavender

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes