Description
Omphalodes cappadocica ‘Starry Eyes’
Omphalodes cappadocica ‘Starry Eyes’ is a lovely form which occurred as a chance seedling. Its white edged petals with a penetrating blue central stripe are something that are quite unique and has never occurred again. In all other respects it is like the species, producing mats of lovely shiny, ribbed leaves. Likewise it prefers a moist cool spot in leafy soil.
Navelwort – Omphalodes
Omphalodes are the navelworts, a name that doesn’t really inspire you with the beauty which they posses. I don’t now if common or botanical name came first, but the latter derives from the Greek for ‘Navel-like’ a reference to the shape of the seeds. With the most penetrating blue flowers and lovely leaves as well to describe you often have to think that some botanists lack a soul. Marie Antoinette was obviously a better judge as she counted them amongst her favourites.
Omphalodes are all species for a cool leafy soil where there is good drainage. The come from light woodland habitats in Europe across into Asia.
Omphalodes are members of the Boraginaceae, along with such bedfellows as the Lungworts, Comfrey, Borage and the Siberian Bugloss, Brunnera. The genus was once larger than it is today, but species from North America and Japan have now been split off into separate genera of their own.
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