Greek helios — sun, referring to the assumption that the flower clusters face the sun..
Annual or perennial herbs or occasionally shrubs. Leaves alternate. Flower clusters terminal and coiled. Flowers with sepals united at the base. Stamens not protruding. Ovary not lobed and with a short terminal style capped with a conical stigma.
Grown as a border plant for the foliage and fragrant flowers.
Mostly by cuttings (cultivars) and layers, occasionally by seed.
Many species are used locally for medicinal purposes. H. arborescens is used in perfumery.
Style capped by a conical stigma.
About 250 species from tropical and temperate regions. Australia has 75 endemic species.
Source: (2002). Boraginaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.