Caryopteris

? Caryopteris
Caryopteris divaricata
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Caryopteris Bunge
Species
See text

Caryopteris (bluebeard; Chinese: 莸属 you shu) is a genus of 16 species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae (formerly often placed in the family Verbenaceae), native to eastern and southern Asia.

They are herbaceous plants or small shrubs growing to 1–4 m tall. The leaves are opposite, simple ovate to lanceolate, with an entire or crenate margin; they are often aromatic. The flowers are blue or white. The flower are pollinated by butterflies and bumblebees. The fruit is a four-valved capsule containing four seeds.

Species

• Caryopteris aureoglandulosa (Vaniot) C.Y.Wu
• Caryopteris bicolor (Roxb. ex Hardw.) Mabb.
• Caryopteris divaricata Maxim.
• Caryopteris forrestii Diels
• Caryopteris glutinosa Rehd.
• Caryopteris grata Benth.
• Caryopteris incana (Thunb. ex Houtt.) Miq.
• Caryopteris jinshajiangensis Y.K.Yang & X.D.Cong
• Caryopteris mongholica Bunge
• Caryopteris nepetifolia (Benth.) Maxim.
• Caryopteris odorata (Ham. ex Roxb.) Rob.
• Caryopteris paniculata C.B.Clarke
• Caryopteris siccanea W.W.Smith
• Caryopteris tangutica Maxim.
• Caryopteris terniflora Maxim.
• Caryopteris trichosphaera W.W.Smith

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Cultivation and uses

Several Caryopteris species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Like Buddleja, the woody stems can die back in the winter, particularly in colder climates. They prefer well-drained soil in full sun, but does not need especially rich soil or constant moisture.

The hybrid Caryopteris × clandonensis (C. incana × C. mongholica) is commonly grown; there are several cultivars, including 'Blue Mist', 'Heavenly Blue', 'Longwood Blue', and 'Dark Knight'.