| Aeollanthus parvifolius | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Aeollanthus |
| Species: | A. parvifolius |
| Binomial name | |
| Aeollanthus parvifolius | |
Aeollanthus parvifolius is a drought-tolerant, succulent, perennial shrublet belonging to the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as rock sage (English) or klipsalie (Afrikaans). [1]
Aeollanthus parvifolius a multi-stemmed, aromatic, fast-growing plant that can reach up to 0.8 meters in height, with succulent, spreading opposite leaves that are egg-shaped to rounded, measuring 15–55 mm in length and 8–25 mm in width, and featuring 2 to 3 pairs of shallow teeth along the margin. Flowers appear from late summer to autumn, are two-lipped and tubular, measuring up to 12 mm in length, and range in color from white to light pink, often with mauve or reddish-purple markings on the upper lip. [2] [1] The flowers are borne on lax panicles or much-branched inflorescences, with stalks reaching up to 200 mm in length. [2] [1] The fruit consists of small nutlets (usually four per calyx), which remain enclosed in a persistent, enlarging calyx that breaks cleanly at maturity to release the seeds. [1]
Aeollanthus parvifolius is easily propagated from soft tip cuttings, which root rapidly in sand within 1 to 3 weeks, or from older herbaceous material that takes 2 to 4 weeks. [2]
This species is native to southern Africa, with a wide distribution from the northern Eastern Cape through Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, extending into Swaziland and southern Mozambique. [1] [3] [4] It typically grows in montane and cliff-dwelling habitats, including grassland, savanna, and Afro-temperate vegetation, often found in rock crevices with varying aspects. [1]