Plectranthus
nilgherricus
Benth.
LAMIACEAE
(Labiatae)
Vernacular name: Not known
Threat status:
Endangered (B1 &2c) - Globally
Habit:
Tall herb
Habitat: Along grassy s,lopes and as undergrowth in
evergreen forests
Altitude: 1000 - 2500 m
Distribution: Endemic to southern Western Ghats.
Regional: Fairly common in higher altitude grasslands and
shola of Silent Valley and Attapadi hills in Palakkad, Wynaad
and Thrissur districts of Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, occasionally
seen in the grasslands of Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Coimbatore.
Not reported from Karnataka.
Description:
Tall
herbs, growing up to 1 m tall or slightly even more. Whole plant
is densely covered with yellowish brown villous hairs and red
glands. Rootstock
is large
and woody. Stems
more or less 4-angled, brittle. Leaves opposite, broadly
egg-shaped, about 6-15 x 3-10 em, base slightly heart-shaped or
truncate, apex acute, margin toothed with rounded to saw-like
teeth, thick, yellowish brown tomentose below, pubescent above;
lateral nerves about 6-8 pairs; leaf stalks prese"nt in lower
leaves, up to 5 cm long and are absent in upper leaves.
Flowers
bisexual,
in 15-20 cm long terminal panicles, stalked. Corolla-tube
cylindrical and its lobes are short and spreading with sticky
hairs at throat, about 5 mm long, white with red spots.
Fruits
consist of
4 minute, globose, smooth 'nutlets'.
Phenology:
Flowering &
Fruiting:
October to
February
Notes:
Since most
of the relative species of Plectranthus possess many
medicinal properties, this could be a possible substitute. It is
of prime conservation concern because of its endemic nature and
restricted distribution.
Medicinal uses:
Used by
local Folk practitioners.
Trade
information:
Not known
Mode of
propagation:
By seeds
and stem cuttings
Special
characters:
The whole
plant is covered with pale brown hairs and red dots. Leaves with
prominent nerves and reticulations impressed above and raised
below. Fruiting calyx bulged below, curved above and densely
covered by yellowish woolly hairs.
