Helpotan

Helpotan is the Turkish common name for plants in the genus Heliotropium, a group of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae, commonly known in English as heliotropes. The genus includes herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and subshrubs native to various regions of the Old World and New World, and it is widely cultivated as ornamentals. The best-known cultivated species is Heliotropium arborescens, the garden heliotrope, which forms evergreen clumps of fragrant leaves and bears dense heads of small blossoms in shades of purple, blue, or white. Another widespread species is Heliotropium europaeum, the European heliotrope, native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa and often found in temperate habitats.

Description and cultivation: Heliotropes typically have aromatic foliage and small, tubular flowers arranged in dense cymes. The plants prefer sunny, well-drained soils and are grown as perennials in mild climates or as annuals in temperate regions. They are valued for their distinct fragrance, which has historical associations with perfumery through compounds such as heliotropin (piperonal). In gardens, they are used as border plants or container specimens and may require protection from frost.

Toxicity and uses: All parts of many heliotrope species contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can cause liver damage if ingested by humans or livestock. Handling the plants can also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. For this reason, they are typically kept away from children and pets in domestic settings. Despite toxicity concerns, heliotropes remain popular ornamental plants and are appreciated for their fragrant flowers and ornamental foliage.