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Synonyms: |
Plectranthus thyrsoideus (Baker) B. Mathew |
Common names: | |
Description: | Shrubby perennial herb, up to 90 cm tall. Stems petioles and inflorescence sparsely covered with spreading hairs. Leaves opposite, lowermost largest, up to 17 × 10 cm, ovate-cordate, bright green above, paler beneath with veins prominent, pubescent; lamina decurrent into the c. 2 cm long petiole; margin coarsely toothed. Leaves gradually smaller towards the top of the branches. Inflorescences terminal on the branches, up to 25 cm long, shortly branched, each branch with dense 10-15 flowered dichotomous cymes. Calyx small, with spreading stellate hairs; dorsal sepal linear-oblong, twice as long as other sepals. Corolla 2-lipped, bright blue, 1.2-1.5 cm long. Upper lip reflexed, broadly obovate, with 4 short rounded lobes; lower lip distinctly longer, saccate, laterally compressed, pointed at the apex. |
Notes: | The intense blue flower colour and tall, densely flowered inflorescences make this a well-known and popular garden plant |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia?, Zimbabwe. |
Growth form(s): | Perennial. |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Image last updated: | Monday 5 September 2011 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 189. as Plectranthus thyrsoideus Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 44. as Plectranthus thyrsoideus Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 56. as Plectranthus thyrsoideus Paton, A.J. et al. (2013). Lamiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(8) Page 258. as Plectranthus thyrsoideus Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 93. as Plectranthus thyrsoideus |
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