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Plumbago zeylanica L.
Doctorbush
Wild Leadwort
White Plumbago
Synonym(s): Plumbago scandens L.
Florida native
An occasional perennial in coastal hammocks of the central and south peninsula of Florida. The range includes Texas, Arizona, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and extends throughout the tropical portions of the Americas, Africa and Asia (pantropical).
Doctorbush is a sprawling woody shrub with vinelike branches 1 m (39 in.) or more in length. Leaves are alternate, ovate to elliptical-lanceolate and entire. Petioles do not have basal auricles. The white flowers are salverform and appear in terminal spikes 10-13cm (4-5 in.) long. The calyx is five lobed with stalked glands the entire length,
In Florida, Plumbago zeylanica is a larval host plant for the Cassius Blue butterfly.
Plumbago zeylanica is a member of the Plumbaginaceae - Leadwort family.
Other species of the Plumbago genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Plumbago auriculata - CAPE LEADWORT
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Dec 06, 2025
