• Photo of Trichostema dichotomum (Trichostema dichotomums)

Plant Profile: Trichostema dichotomum

Taxonomy: Trichostema dichotomum

Names

Blue Curls, Common Blue-curls

  • Photo of Trichostema dichotomum (Trichostema dichotomums)

Phonetic Spelling:try-ko-STEM-uh dy-KAW-toh-mum

Genus:Trichostema

Species:dichotomum

Family:Lamiaceae

Blue Curls are annual wildflowers typically found in arid woodlands and rocky outcrops. These plants are known to attract bees and beetles, thanks to their distinctive curled stamens that enhance their visual appeal. In the fall, the bracts of Blue Curls turn a tan color, making them an attractive choice for dried floral arrangements.

**Season:**
Late summer through fall

**Foliage:**
Hairy leaves without teeth

**Flower:**
Stamens with a deep blue hue and a curved shape; the flower features four lobes on top and one larger lobe beneath.

**Site:**
Dry, open woodlands and clearings.

Trichostema dichotomum Feature Summary

Trichostema dichotomum Image Gallery

Tags

#NC native
#native wildflower
#wildflower garden
#food source herbage
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#piedmont mountains UPL
#coastal UPL
#food source hard mast fruit
#insects
#bee friendly
#audubon

Similar Plants

Trichostema dichotomum Feature Summary

Attributes
Dry open woods and clearings.
Fruit
Fruits are available September-December.
Flowers
Deeply curved blue-stalked stamens; flower has four lobes above and one larger lobe below. Flowers bloom August-November.
Purple/Lavender
Blue
Leaves
Hairy; toothless leaves.
Whole Plant Traits
Wildflower
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Landscape

Trichostema dichotomum Attributes

Trichostema dichotomum: Distribution

Dry open woods and clearings.

Trichostema dichotomum: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Trichostema dichotomum Fruit

Trichostema dichotomum: Fruit Description

Fruits are available September-December.

Trichostema dichotomum Flowers

Trichostema dichotomum: Flower Description

Deeply curved blue-stalked stamens; flower has four lobes above and one larger lobe below. Flowers bloom August-November.

Trichostema dichotomum: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Blue
filter_vintage
Purple/Lavender

Trichostema dichotomum: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Trichostema dichotomum Leaves

Trichostema dichotomum: Leaf Description

Hairy; toothless leaves.

Trichostema dichotomum: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Trichostema dichotomum: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Trichostema dichotomum Whole Plant Traits

Trichostema dichotomum: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Trichostema dichotomum Cultural Conditions

Trichostema dichotomum: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Trichostema dichotomum: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Trichostema dichotomum: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Trichostema dichotomum: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Trichostema dichotomum Stem

Trichostema dichotomum: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Trichostema dichotomum Landscape

Trichostema dichotomum: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees