Tropical-Lilac

Cornutia grandifolia (Schltdl. & Cham.) Schauer

core-NOOT-ee-ah grand-ah-FOAL-ee-ah

Verbenaceae

Explanation of name: Genus named for Jacques-Philippe Cornut, 1606-1651, French physician who published early accounts of North American flora (DAV, HUX). Grandifolia means large-leaved.

Natural range: Central America (HUX)

Recognition: Fast-growing shrub with fragrant leaves and small lavender-blue flowers in showy erect pyramidal inflorescences. Fruits purple. Relationship with Callicarpa apparent.

Landscape uses: A robust, fast-growing, flowering shrub providing lavender-bluish flowers in shaded conditions. Weedy. Propagates from seeds and cuttings (RIF).

Internet source: http://www.rareflora.com/cornutiagran.htm