Plectranthus ecklonii

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Plectranthus ecklonii
Plectranthusecklonii.jpg
Clump featuring both white and purple flowers
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Plectranthus
Species:
P. ecklonii
Binomial name
Plectranthus ecklonii

Plectranthus ecklonii, commonly known as tall spurflower and Ecklon spurflower, is a shrub from the mint family Lamiaceae, native to South Africa. The habitat includes forest or shaded situations near the coast. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Description

Foliage Plectranthus ecklonii, groeipunte, Pretoria NBT, a.jpg
Foliage

Native to the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa, it is an aromatic, semi-succulent, fast-growing, erect shrub that reaches the heights of 3 metres (9.8 ft) and has ascending branches that are covered with short, multicellular hairs that are pointed upwards. [4] [5]

The ovate to elliptical, somewhat large leaves are 7.4 cm–19 cm x 3.5 cm–11.5cm in size, which are laid out in opposite pairs on the square-shaped stems and feature an edge-shaped base and acute apex, in addition to having clumps of purplish hairs on the nodes. The leaves give a nicotine-like smudge on the skin, if crushed or rubbed. [4]

Inflorescence

The inflorescence consist of a terminal panicle that is 37 cm long. The double-lipped petals are 1.5-2.4 cm long, that range from bluish-purple, and at times pink or white. It produces flowers in autumn, from March (or as early as February) to May with a peak in April, although sporadic blooming can occur at any time of the year. [4] [5]

Plectranthus ecklonii 1DS-II 2808.jpg
Purple flowers
Plectranthus ecklonii flower.jpg
White flowers

Reproduction

Fruits are a small brown to black nutlet, that is 0.2 cm in length. [5] The plant can reproduce by self-seeding and by broken stems which can root readily. [6]

Habitat

Growing beneath a tree as an understorey shrub Plectranthus ecklonii.jpg
Growing beneath a tree as an understorey shrub

The plant is found in damp, coastal subtropical and temperate forest and margins of such forests in partly shaded areas. It is generally found in the understorey at forest margins or on wooded creek banks. It found in areas where the precipitation falls mainly during summer, with totals of 1, 000 to 1, 750 mm per annum. [4]

Outside of its native range in South Africa, it has been recorded in the forest margins of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Victoria, and in New Zealand. [5]

Cultivation

The plant is used for its profuse display of flowers, which can bloom in the first year after planting, and fast growth in the garden. It can tolerate mild frost, but not severe ones where it can die off. It is easily propagated by cuttings, as it can root readily in soil. It can thrive from mulching and the occasional fertilizer. It tends to look more attractive when it is replaced by new cuttings (since it gets straggly and woody after a few years). During severe drought, it can wilt, but will rejuvenate after rainfall. [6]

Three cultivars of the plant exist: [4]

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References

  1. "Plectranthus ecklonii". Fact Sheet, Weeds. Queensland Government. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  2. "Plectranthus ecklonii". PlantzAfrica. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  3. "Plectranthus ecklonii". The Plant List. Kew Gardens. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Plectranthus ecklonii Benth. PlantZAfrica. SA National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Plectranthus ecklonii Benth. in DC. PlantNET. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  6. 1 2 Plectranthus ecklonii iGarden Pty Ltd. Retrieved 15 February 2024.