PlantFiles: Blue Porterweed
Stachytarpheta sellowiana

This is an erect herb from brazilian savannas. It doesn´t grow much, reaching between 30 and 50cm. Can even be cultivated as an anual, since its life cycle is adapted to the natural fire that burns it every year, making it liberate its seeds. Of course, you have to make sure it has seed pods before setting it on fire...

It has a short inflorescence, unlike other Porterweeds, with rather bigger, blue flowers (medium blue petals and deep blue tube) that may atract butterflies. Blooms during the winter, when the rains become rare. The showy flowers are really a great surprise while walking on the grasslands.

It likes full sun, red clay soil and regular watering, (let it dry during the winter). It tolerates frost, but not for a long time. Moderate temperatures are the best.