cape leadwort, Plumbago auriculata

Anyone who visits tropical sections of plant conservatories has probably seen cape leadwort. This African species easily invades pots. From there it has occasionally has found its way into our warmer outdoors. This image is from the Florida Keys, which seems to be a hot spot for tropical invaders. Most of the shots I've gotten from the Keys are of alien flowers. These days there's not that much undisturbed habitat left on the Keys, and a lot of plantings from which species spread. Cape leadwort has been reported from CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, and TX. Monroe Co FL, 1/26/13. Leadwort familly, Plumbadinaceae.