Trachelium caeruleum

Trachelium caeruleum L. (SW-Eur.) – A very rare and more or less ephemeral escape from cultivation. Discovered on a basement wall in the city of Antwerpen in 2005 but apparently soon afterwards destroyed (no longer seen in 2009). In 2010 furthermore discovered on a quay wall (close to Ajuinlei) in the city of Gent (two flowering and a vegetative specimen). Here possibly naturalising. Similar records have recently become available from the Netherlands (Denters 2006, Holverda & al. 2009). It was previously known from the British Isles as well (Palmer 1981).

Trachelium caeruleum is only rarely cultivated in Belgium. Hence, the exact origin of these recent records is somewhat obscure.

Trachelium caeruleum, Gent, old quay wall, August 2010, W. Vercruysse

Herbarium specimen

Denters T. (2006) Halsbloem (Trachelium caeruleum L.) weer een nieuwe muurplant in Nederland! Gorteria 31: 142-143.

Holverda W., van Moorsel R. & Duistermaat L. (2009) Nieuwe vondsten van zeldzame planten in 2005, 2006 en ten dele 2007. Gorteria 34: 1-40.

Palmer J.R. (1981) Trachelium caeruleum L. (Throatwort) on the British mainland. BSBI News 29: 14.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith