Coleus porphyranthus (T.J.Edwards & N.R.Crouch) A.J.Paton

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Slopes of Mt Belingwe.

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pokoteke Gorge, near Masvingo

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Synonyms:	Plectranthus porphyranthus T.J. Edwards & N. Crouch
Common names:
Frequency:	Local
Status:
Description:	Perennial semi-succulent aromatic herb. Stems procumbent to somewhat scrambling, quadrangular, densely hairy. Leaves softly fleshy, opposite, ovate to triangular-ovate, up to 5.5 × 3.5 cm, shortly hairy above and densely woolly beneath; margin rolled under in young leaves, less so with age, coarsely dentate with 3-6 pairs of triangular teeth; petiole (1-4 cm long, densely hairy. Inflorescence terminal, 10-40 cm long, often with 2 basal branches; verticils usually 10-flowered, 1-3 cm apart; bracts very broadly ovate, 2-6 mm long. Calyx 3 mm long enlarging to 6 mm in fruit, purple-tinged; upper lip broadly ovate; lower lip 4-toothed. Corolla 2-lipped, intense violet with pale markings on the throat and upper lobes; tube c. 5 mm, markedly deflexed, sparingly hairy; upper lip 2-lobed, erect; lower lip boat-shaped, 3-4.5 mm long.
Notes:	This species differs in lacking the sessile, orange or reddish glands which occur on the calyx, lower leaf and bract surfaces of closely related species (sect. Coleoides) in the region.
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	In shallow soil pockets and crevices on granite whalebacks.
Altitude range: (metres)	1050 - 1450 m
Flowering time:	Dec - Mar
Worldwide distribution:	Southern Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe distribution:	W,S
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:	Endemic
Red data list status:	Lower Risk - least concern
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Tuesday 14 September 2021
Literature:	Edwards, T.J., Paton, A. & Crouch, N.R. (2000). A new species of Plectranthus (Lamiaceae) from Zimbabwe Kew Bulletin 55(2) Pages 459 - 464. as Plectranthus porphyranthus (Includes a picture). Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 174. as Plectranthus porphyranthus Mapaura, A. (2002). Endemic Plant Species of Zimbabwe. Kirkia 18(1) Page 143. as Plectranthus porphyranthus 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 porphyranthus Paton, A.J. et al. (2013). Lamiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(8) Pages 248 - 249. as Plectranthus porphyranthus

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External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Coleus porphyranthus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Coleus porphyranthus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Coleus porphyranthus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Coleus porphyranthus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Coleus porphyranthus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Coleus porphyranthus
JSTOR Plant Science: Coleus porphyranthus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Coleus porphyranthus
Plants of the World Online: Coleus porphyranthus
Tropicos: Coleus porphyranthus
Wikipedia: Coleus porphyranthus