Heliotropium curassavicum is a species of heliotrope known by several common names, such as Seaside Heliotrope, Salt Heliotrope, Monkey Tail, Quail Plant and (misleadingly) "Chinese parsley"; in Latin America it is known as cola de mico and is called kīpūkai in Hawaiʻi. It is native to much of the Americas, from Canada to Argentina, and it can be found on other continents as an introduced species. It thrives in salty soils, such as beach sand and alkali flats. This is a perennial herb which can take the form of a prostrate creeper along the ground to a somewhat erect bush approaching half a meter tall. The stem and foliage are fleshy, with the leaves thick and oval or spade-shaped. The plentiful inflorescences are curled, coiling double rows of small bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is white with five rounded lobes and a purple or yellow throat. The fruit is a smooth nutlet.
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