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 ambiguus is an erect to decumbent, evergreen perennial plant with stems that branch near the base, often forming new roots at the leaf nodes. The stems can become more or less woody and persist; the plant can grow 40 - 120cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - S. Africa (Eastern Cape Province to Northern KwaZulu-Natal)

Habitat

Forest margins and on shady, rocky slopes; at elevations from 5 - 1,645 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plectranthus ambiguus is found in subtropical to tropical coastal and afromontane forests. It grows in frost-free regions, though it can tolerate short-lived, occasional, light frosts. It is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 600 - 1,500mm[].
An easily grown plant, it prefers a position in some shade[]. Plants grow best in well-composted, fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of water during summer[].
Plants respond well to pruning and can be cut right back to near ground level if required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion made from the crushed, aromatic leaves is sipped as a treatment for coughs and colds[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is an excellent, fast-growing ground cover for a position in light to medium shade[].

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[].
Cuttings - soft tips root faster than semi-hardwood growth but both root easily. Cuttings are best taken 60 - 100mm long with three or four nodes, making the cut just below a node. Place them in sand, perlite, vermiculite or peat, or any mixture of these, keep them moist and shaded and they should root in 2 - 3 weeks[]

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