Nemesia caerulea explained

Nemesia caerulea is a blue- to purple- flowered herbaceous perennial member of the family Scrophulariaceae.^[1] The plant is native to the Cape Floristic Province of southwestern South Africa, where it grows at low elevations on fully exposed north-facing and northwest-facing slopes in association with other native grasses and forbs.^[2] Its chromosome number is 2n=18.^[3]

It produces many small flowers in shades of pink, blue and white (the Latin caerulea means "dark blue").^[4] The flowers are two-lipped, the upper lip with four lobes and the lower lip with two lobes. In cultivation the two lips are often different colours.^[5]

In temperate regions it is usually grown as an annual. The cultivar 'Sea Mist' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Pollination systems, hybridization barriers and meiotic chromosome behaviour in Nemesia hybrids . Euphytica . 2006 . Paul M. . Datson . Brian G. Murray . Keith R. W. Hammett . 151 . 2 . 173–185 . 10.1007/s10681-006-9138-z . 42283708 .
2. A floristic description of the Afromontane fynbos communities on Platberg, Eastern Free State, South Africa . African Protected Area Conservation and Science . 2008 . Robert F. . Brand . Du Preez . Pieter J. . Brown . Leslie R. . 50 . 1 . 2010-09-20.
3. 10.2307/2419563 . Chromosome Numbers and Relationships in Tribe Hemimerideae (Scrophulariaceae) . Systematic Botany . 1996 . Kim E. . Steiner . 21 . 1 . 63–76 . 2419563 .
4. Book: Harrison, Lorraine . RHS Latin for gardeners . 2012 . Mitchell Beazley . United Kingdom . 978-1-84533-731-5 . 224.
5. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants . 2008 . Dorling Kindersley . United Kingdom . 978-1-4053-3296-5 . 1136.
6. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Nemesia caerulea 'Sea Mist' . 3 January 2021.