Believe it or not, this Chilean plant is in the same family as the previously featured Iochroma australe, and therefore a relative of tomatoes and potatoes. As I mentioned a few days ago, we are surrounded by amazing diversity; botanical gardens are great places to appreciate that.

There seems to be much confusion as to whether this lilac-flowered form is actually a cultivated selection (in which case the name would correctly be Fabiana imbricata 'Violacea' - this is how it is often sold), or whether it has been scientifically published and described as being a naturally-occurring form (hence forma violacea). We've opted to use the latter at UBC, despite not being able to verify that the plant was ever properly published under that name, because a few well-respected information sources like the RHS Plantfinder suggest it.