Caryopteris

Taxobox
name = "Caryopteris"

---

image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Caryopteris divaricata"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Lamiaceae
genus = "Caryopteris"
genus_authority = Bunge
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text

"Caryopteris" (bluebeard; Chinese: 莸属 "you shu") is a genus of 16 species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae (formerly often placed in the family Verbenaceae), native to eastern and southern Asia.Germplasm Resources Information Network: [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?2136 "Caryopteris"] ] Flora of China: [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=105776 "Caryopteris"] ] Flora of Pakistan: [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=105776 "Caryopteris"] ] Huxley, A., ed. (1992). "New RHS Dictionary of Gardening". Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.]

They are herbaceous plants or small shrubs growing to 1–4 m tall. The leaves are opposite, simple ovate to lanceolate, with an entire or crenate margin; they are often aromatic. The flowers are blue or white. The flower are pollinated by butterflies and bumblebees. The fruit is a four-valved capsule containing four seeds.

;Species
*"Caryopteris aureoglandulosa" (Vaniot) C.Y.Wu
*"Caryopteris bicolor" (Roxb. ex Hardw.) Mabb.
*"Caryopteris divaricata" Maxim.
*"Caryopteris forrestii" Diels
*"Caryopteris glutinosa" Rehd.
*"Caryopteris grata" Benth.
*"Caryopteris incana" (Thunb. ex Houtt.) Miq.
*"Caryopteris jinshajiangensis" Y.K.Yang & X.D.Cong
*"Caryopteris mongholica" Bunge
*"Caryopteris nepetifolia" (Benth.) Maxim.
*"Caryopteris odorata" (Ham. ex Roxb.) Rob.
*"Caryopteris paniculata" C.B.Clarke
*"Caryopteris siccanea" W.W.Smith
*"Caryopteris tangutica" Maxim.
*"Caryopteris terniflora" Maxim.
*"Caryopteris trichosphaera" W.W.SmithSources:

Cultivation and uses

Several "Caryopteris" species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Like "Buddleja", the woody stems can die back in the winter, particularly in colder climates. They prefer well-drained soil in full sun, but does not need especially rich soil or constant moisture.

The hybrid "Caryopteris × clandonensis" ("C. incana" × "C. mongholica") is commonly grown; there are several cultivars, including 'Blue Mist', 'Heavenly Blue', 'Longwood Blue', and 'Dark Knight'.

References