Nemophila menziesii
Common name
Baby Blue-eyes; Penny Black
Synonyms
Sometimes placed in F. Boraginaceae subfamily Hydrophylloideae
Family
Hydrophyllaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Brief description
Trailing annual herb, sometimes slightly woody at base. Flowers ca 4 cm diameter, mostly blue with white centre, but other colours in cultivation include ‘Penny Black’ with purple-black petals with narrow white margins; and var. atomaria with white to pale lilac flowers with scattered darker speckles (= ‘Snow Storm’) or a larger purple spot on outer rim of each petal. Plants soft with deeply incised-to-pinnate leaves.
Habitat
Drought tolerant. Self-sows freely in gardens once established and spreads to gravel paths and driveways.
Flower colours
Black, Blue, Purple, White
Propagation technique
Seed
Year naturalised
2011
Origin
California
Reason for introduction
Ornamental