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 montanus is a succulent, perennial plant with erect or ascending stems that can become more or less woody, especially near the base; it can grow 30 - 200cm tall[, ]. The stems are occasionally scandent or prostrate, sometimes forming clumps[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine
A widely distributed plant, it is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Tropical Africa - Congo and DR Congo to Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, south to S. Africa; Arabian Peninsula - Yemen, Saudi Arabia; E. Asia - India

Habitat

Rock outcrops, dry Acacia-Commiphora bushland and dry evergreen bushland; at elevations from 500 - 2,400 metres, occasionally descending to 250 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is aromatic[].
Close to Plectranthus pseudomarrubioides on account of the free stamens, calyx shape and structure and habit. It differs in shorter corollas, more distinctly petiolate leaves and often more erect habit[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used in the treatment of digestive and respiratory complaints, pain, infections and fevers[].

The plant has been shown to have antibacterial and antifungal activity[]. It is used to treat sore throats[].
Combined with Microglossa oblongifolia, it is a remedy for fever and severe headache[].

Other Uses

The plant is aromatic. It is used in personal hygiene and to wash clothes[].

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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