Blue Porterweed

Description:

Blue Porterweed is a popular choice for butterfly gardens but it can get quite tall and overgrown. It's an exotic porterweed from tropical Asia considered invasive by some. This species of blue porterweed is often confused with our native porterweed, S. jamaicensis. The S. urticifolia is a woody shrub with leaves that are dark green and finely toothed with serrations that point outward. The leaves also have a distinct quilted appearance on the upper surface. The flower are a dark blue or purple with a white center. Individual flowers last a single day.

Habitat:

Found in gardens, parks and landscaping.

Notes:

I found this plant in a butterfly garden at a local park. It might have been mistakenly chosen by someone who thought it was our native porterweed. Florida gardens may want to look for Stachytarpheta jamaicensis for their butterfly gardens.