Ceratostigma

Family Plumbaginaceae. Native range - Western China.

Description: the genus comprises 8 species of deciduous and evergreen subshrubs and herbaceous perennials, occurring in dry open sites in Northeast Africa, the Himalayas, China and Southeast Asia.

Branching deciduous subshrubs with thin rigid green stems. Obovate leaves up to 5 cm long are hairy along the margins. Autumn coloration is red. In August-September, at the tips of the shoots, spike-like inflorescences of bright bluish-lilac flowers up to 2 cm in diameter open.