Plumbago auriculata is an evergreen shrub, often grown as a climber, ascending rapidly to 6 m tall by 3 m wide in nature, though much smaller when cultivated as a houseplant. The leaves are a glossy green and grow to 5 cm long. The stems are long, thin, and climbing. The leaves alternate and are 2-5 cm while the five petals are about 2 cm wide and can be pale blue, blue or violet in colour. There also variations with white (P. auriculata var. alba) or deep blue (P. auriculata ‘Royal Cape’) flowers.
Plumbago is used traditionally to treat warts, broken bones and wounds. It is taken as a snuff for headaches and as an emetic to dispel bad dreams.
