Plectranthus fruticosus, the forest spurflower, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to Mozambique, Eswatini, and South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal, Northern, and Cape provinces.[2] Growing up to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall, it is an erect evergreen shrub, with rounded, hairy leaves, and spikes of soft blue or mauve flowers in summer.
| Plectranthus fruticosus | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Plectranthus |
| Species: | P. fruticosus
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| Binomial name | |
| Plectranthus fruticosus | |
| Synonyms | |
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The Latin specific epithet fruticosus means "shrubby".[3]
This plant is found throughout the Western Cape and Limpopo regions, enjoying the moist conditions and dappled shade of forest margins.[4]
It has a long history of cultivation in Europe, where it requires protection from freezing temperatures. Several cultivars are available, of which the pink-flowered 'James' has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ "Plectranthus fruticosus L'Hér". The Plant List. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ^ Plectranthus fruticosus L'Hér. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X.
- ^ "Plectranthus fruticosus". The Plant Library. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Plectranthus fruticosus 'James'". Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 79. Retrieved 2 May 2018.