Hollowheart
Iochroma arborescens
- Native to:
- Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
Franz Xaver
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Genus:
- Iochroma
- Species:
- Iochroma arborescens
- USDA Symbol:
- ACAR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, violet, blue
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to cloud forests, prefers organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions with consistent moisture. Light may aid germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI