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Asarina is a flowering plant genus of only one species, Asarina procumbens Mill. the trailing snapdragon, which is native to France and Spain and introduced in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary and the United Kingdom. Originally placed in the Scrophulariaceae (figwort family), the genus has more recently been moved to the Plantaginaceae (plantain family). Species from North America formerly placed in the genus Asarina are now placed in Holmgrenanthe, Lophospermum, Mabrya and Maurandya, as well as Neogaerrhinum. Asarina is now regarded as exclusively an Old World genus.
A. procumbens grows best in somewhat dry partial shade. Soil: well-drained, sandy/gravelly, humus-rich, moderately moist: dislikes excessive winter wetness. Blooms most profusely in climates in which summers are not excessively hot. Pollinated by bumblebees. Plant is evergreen in mild climates, although may be killed outright by heavy frost, in which case may be propagated afresh: self-seeds readily. Uses: trailing alpine or ground cover. Thrives and increases rapidly as a container plant. Not usually invasive in gardens, though one report of aggressive growth from southeastern U.S.A. Pruning: not usually needed, though may be cut back in autumn if foliage is spent or untidy. Hardiness zone: U.K. H3. USDA zones 8,9 & 10.
A. procumbens is not a common species in the French part of its range, even having protected status in the Auvergne region. Its strongholds in France comprise the Pyrénées-Orientales (taking in the Franco-Catalan area of historic Rousillon) and the Massif central - notably the Cévennes. In Spain the plant is native to the Pyrenean region, but may be found naturalised elsewhere.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Asarina by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
