The genus Plumbago is belong to Plumbaginaeae family, it is comprises 10 species from the warmer parts of the world. There are 5 species in South Africa.

Plumbago auriculata is a shrub, native to South Africa. Mainly found in Cape region and shares a habitat with Tecomaria capensis (Cape Honeysuckle). Plumbago auriculata was known as Plumbago capensis, which was the name given by Thunberg in 1794. However, the plant had already been named auriculata by Lamarck in 1786 in what was known as the East Indies where it had been taken as a garden plant. The Dutch East India Company trade routes included the Cape and this was most likely how the plant reached the East Indies. The name Plumbago is derived from plumbum meaning lead,  referring it is supposed to cure for lead poisoning. Auriculata means ear shaped and refers to the leaf base.

In nature Cape Leadwort is a scrambling shrub, reach 300cm x 300cm. The new growth is bright green, darker when mature. The leaves are thin in texture and have minute gland dots. Underneath the leaves are greyish green.

In summer Plumbago auriculata is covered with lovely pale sky blue flowers. Although main flowering period is between May and October there are often flowers at other times of the year. There is also a white form which is very attractive. It is slightly less vigorous than the normal blue but is a prolific flowerer.

Use in landscape: Cape Leadwort is an extremely reliable, resilient plant which has been popular for home gardens as well as for commercial landscapes for many years. Plumbago auriculata may be found in gardens all over the world, and was apparently popular as a standard plant in Europe.

Cape Leadwort makes a very good informal or formal hedge as it responds well to pruning. It will flower profusely after being cut back or after a growth flush, as it bears flowers on new wood. It may need to be cut back after winter to keep it tidy. Plumbago auriculata will scramble into trees if allowed. It is very useful in large gardens and landscapes as it forms suckers and will cover fairly big areas.

Cape Leadwort is fast growing, drought resistant, rewarding plant and will grow in any soil but will perform best if planted with plenty of compost. Although somewhat frost tender, it will quickly re-grow if damaged. It is propagated easily from seed, cuttings and suckers. The easiest method of propagation is to remove rooted suckers from the mother plant.

Plumbago auriculata is used traditionally to treat warts, broken bones and wounds. It is taken as a snuff for headaches and as an emetic to dispel bad dreams.