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Interim profile, incomplete information Taxonomic name: Heliotropium curassavicum L. Synonyms: Common names: eyebright, quail plant, salt heliotrope, seashore heliotrope, seaside heliotrope Organism type: herb Heliotropium curassavicum occurs in dense monospecific stands and colonizes disturbed habitats. A stand comprises of two levels of populations: one of individuals that have developed from seed and a second one, vegetatively developed from shoots and buds from individuals. The reproductive ability of H. curassavicum to shift from vegetative to sexual reproduction and vice versa (correlated to temperature, moisture content of the soil and level of disturbance and openness of the disturbed habitat) may be important factor in determining its ability to colonize disturbed habitats. Occurs in: agricultural areas, coastland, estuarine habitats, range/grasslands, ruderal/disturbed General impacts Heliotropium curassavicum occurs in dense monospecific stands. A stand comprises of two levels of populations: one of individuals that have developed from seed and a second one, vegetatively developed from shoots and buds from individuals (Hegazy 1994). Hegazy (1994) reports that once a habitat is colonized seed germination could be inhibited in the closed areas and the stand is sustained by vegetative reproduction. Hegazy (1994) found that reproductive ability of H. curassavicum to shift from vegetative to sexual reproduction and vice versa is correlated to temperature, moisture content of the soil and level of disturbance and openness of the disturbed habitat may be important factor in determining its ability to colonize disturbed habitats. Uses Medicines: folklore (USDA-ARS, 2010) Notes Three subspecies are listed as direct children: Heliotropium curassavicum var. curassavicum L. (salt heliotrope); Heliotropium curassavicum var. obovatum DC. (seaside heliotrope) and Heliotropium curassavicum var. oculatum (Heller) I.M. Johnston (seaside heliotrope) (ITIS, 2010) Geographical range Native range: Northern America: United States; Canada; Mexico. Southern America: (Mesoamerica) Costa Rica; Guatemala; Honduras; Nicaragua; Panama (Caribbean) Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; Bahamas; Barbados; Cayman Islands; Cuba; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Hispaniola; Jamaica; Puerto Rico; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and Grenadines. Guyana; Suriname; Venezuela; Brazil; Bolivia; Colombia; Argentina; Chile; Paraguay; Uruguay. (USDA-ARS, 2010) Uncertain status: Listed as introduced in Anguilla (Varnham 2009) Reproduction Heliotropium curassavicum occurs in dense monospecific stands. A stand comprises of two levels of populations: one of individuals that have developed from seed and a second one, vegetatively developed from shoots and buds from individuals (Hegazy 1994). Hegazy (1994) reports that once a habitat is colonized seed germination could be inhibited in the closed areas and the stand is sustained by vegetative reproduction. Hegazy (1994) found that reproductive ability of H. curassavicum to shift from vegetative to sexual reproduction and vice versa is correlated to temperature, moisture content of the soil and level of disturbance and openness of the disturbed habitat. Compiled by: IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) with support from the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme (OTEP) project XOT603, a joint project with the Cayman Islands Government - Department of Environment To contribute information, please contact Shyama Pagad. Last Modified: Tuesday, 8 June 2010