Heliotropium foertherianum is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, Boraginaceae. It is native to tropical Asia including southern China, Madagascar, northern Australia, and most of the atolls and high islands of Micronesia and Polynesia. Common names include velvetleaf soldierbush, tree heliotrope and octopus bush. It is a shrub or small tree typical of littoral zones reaching a height of 6 m (20 ft), with a similar spread.