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 caninus is an erect, annual to short-lived perennial, semi-succulent plant growing from a branched taproot. The branched stems become more or less woody at the base; the plant growing 15 - 60cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in S. Africa.

Known Hazards

The plant is said to be poisonous to livestock[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Africa - Eritrea to Somalia, south to Angola, Namibia, Botswana; E. Asia - India, Myanmar

Habitat

Often found growing communally under trees in dry open woodland or on rocky outcrops[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The leaves are unpleasantly aromatic[].
This species is closely related to Plectranthus neochilus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is diuretic[]. It is used in the treatment of teeth and gum disorders[].

Extracts of the root are used as a treatment for coughs[].

The plant has cytotoxic and anti-tumour promoting activity and can be used in the treatment of cancer[].

Other Uses

The leaves are used as a snuff - a habit that can become addictive[].

The succulent leaves are used by nursing mothers to clean their breasts after a journey[].

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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