Plectranthus porphyranthus T.J. Edwards & N. Crouch

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Slopes of Mt Belingwe.

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pokoteke Gorge, near Masvingo

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Synonyms:
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. (Includes a picture). Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 174. Mapaura, A. (2002). Endemic Plant Species of Zimbabwe. Kirkia 18(1) Page 143. 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. Paton, A.J. et al. (2013). Lamiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(8) Pages 248 - 249.

Other sources of information about Plectranthus porphyranthus:

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Plectranthus porphyranthus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Plectranthus porphyranthus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Plectranthus porphyranthus
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Plectranthus porphyranthus
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Plectranthus porphyranthus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Plectranthus porphyranthus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network): Plectranthus porphyranthus
iNaturalist: Plectranthus porphyranthus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Plectranthus porphyranthus
JSTOR Plant Science: Plectranthus porphyranthus
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Plectranthus porphyranthus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Plectranthus porphyranthus
Plants of the World Online: Plectranthus porphyranthus
Tropicos: Plectranthus porphyranthus
Wikipedia: Plectranthus porphyranthus