Billardiera heterophylla

Billardiera heterophylla
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Pittosporaceae
Genus: Billardiera
Species: B. heterophylla
Binomial name
Billardiera heterophylla
(Lindl.) L.W.Cayzer & Crisp
Synonyms

Sollya heterophylla Lindl.

Billardiera heterophylla (formerly Sollya heterophylla) is a species of flowering plant in the family Pittosporaceae, known by the common name bluebell creeper.[1] It is native to Western Australia, but is grown as an ornamental plant in appropriate climates worldwide. It can sometimes be found growing in the wild as an introduced species or garden escapee, for example in other Australian states[2][3][4] and in California,[5] where it is popular in landscaping. It is sometimes considered a weed.[4][6]

It is a climbing shrub with vine-like branches that twine around other plants for support. The glossy green leaves are up to 5 cm (2 in) long. The inflorescence is a single hanging flower or pendent array of up to five. The flower has five petals up to 1 cm long which may be white to deep blue or pinkish in color. The fruit is a berry up to 3 cm (1 in) long with pulpy flesh and many seeds. The cylindrical, sausage-shaped fruits ripen to greenish- or blue-purple or black in color.

The specific epithet heterophylla means "with various or diverse leaves".[7]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Sollya heterophylla". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  2. ↑ Australian Native Plants Society
  3. ↑ New South Wales Flora
  4. 1 2 Dept. for Environment and Heritage, South Australia
  5. ↑ Jepson Manual Treatment
  6. ↑ Bluebell creeper (Sollya heterophylla)
  7. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  8. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Sollya heterophylla". Retrieved 4 June 2013.


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