Species Overview

Native to: South Africa

Plumbago is a popular landscape plant that has occasionally been found in disturbed sites in Florida. Its escapes from cultivation appear infrequent and there is little evidence of further spread. It is currently ranked as not a problem species and having a low invasion risk by the UF IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas.

Species Characteristics

Family: Plumbaginaceae

Habit: Perennial shrub reaching up to 15 feet in height.

Leaves: 2-inch pale green leaves; alternate, simple, not toothed.

Flowers: Pale blue phlox-like flowers are in a terminal cluster, tubular, 5-parted with spreading lobes.

Fruit: Barbed sticky capsules.

Distribution in Florida: Vouchered from Lake, Brevard, Hillsborough, Martin, and Lee counties.

Impacts

No negative impacts have been reported.