Plectranthus fruticosus

    Plectranthus fruticosus
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Ivan Lätti

    Plectranthus fruticosus is a branched erect soft shrub with red to purple colouring on the young stems as well as on the lower leaf surfaces. Apart from the blue flower form that can be seen here, there are also mauve and pink flowered ones.

    The common name of forest spur-flower suggests the shade loving feature of the plant. The Afrikaans name of muishondblaar is shared with some other Plectranthus species. It warns about a below par scent. 

    The forest spur-flower grows all along the south and east coasts of South Africa and inland in the northern parts of the country in forests and scrub. It resembles P. ecklonii that lacks the reddish stems, is somewhat larger and has more flower colours (Manning, 2009).

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