Some species of Plectranthus are difficult to identify because of a lack of clear-cut morphological criteria to discriminate not only among species within the genus but also among the closely related genera. This has resulted in numerous taxonomic problems in the naming of species with the result that species have often been placed in several closely related genera like Coleus, Solenostemon and Englerastrum. In addition, some species formally placed in Plectranthus, are now recognized as the more distantly related genus Isodon.
Because of these taxonomic issues, different names have often been used for the same species of Plectranthus and thus it has been difficult to collate information about the ethnobotanical uses of this genus. Furthermore, the most commonly used medicinal species of Plectranthus have a high degree of synonymy[].
This report is very much indebted to the work of C.W. Lukhoba et al. - Journal of Ethnopharmacology 103 (2006) 1-24[] in untangling much of this mess of names, and utilizes the on-line Kew database ‘World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (http://wcsp.science.kew.org/home.do) for determining currently accepted names and synonyms (as of 2018).

Common Name:

General Information

Plectranthus hereroensis is an erect annual to short-lived perennial plant that can grow up to 100cm tall. The stem is usually solitary, branching above[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in S. Africa[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa- Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Africa

Habitat

South-facing and wooded hillsides at medium to high elevations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion from the roots is used to treat liver complaints[, ].

The plant (probably the essential oil[]) has shown both anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity, particularly against Herpes simplex, and activity against certain anti-biotic resistant bacterial strains[]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in well-drained soil, covering lightly with a thin layer of sand, and place in a warm but shaded spot. The seed germinates in about three weeks[].

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