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 madagascariensis is a succulent, herbaceous perennial plant growing up to 45cm tall. The procumbent to decumbent stems can be 30 - 100cm long, producing new roots at the leaf nodes where touching the ground[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is grown for use as a medicine[], and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover[]..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East Africa - Mozambique, Swaziland, S. Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion

Habitat

Rocky places and on cliffs at relatively high elevations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is grown as an ornamental, thee are some named varieties[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction or infusion of the roots is used in the treatment of asthma, coughs, colds and chest complaints[, ]. The plant is also used as an enema to treat coughs[].

The crushed leaves are massaged into the skin to treat scabies and small wounds[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be used as a ground cover[].

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 of Plectranthus species generally root easily - soft tips root faster than semi-hardwood growth. The 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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