Plectranthus congestus (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Plectranthus congestus R.Br.

Protologue: Prodr.: 506 (1810).

• Papua New Guinea: ragi, magwu (Nyamikum, Sepik).

Timor, eastern New Guinea and northern Australia.

The sap from crushed leaves has been reported to be applied to sores and scabies in Papua New Guinea.

• An annual herb, up to 150 cm tall.
• Leaves ovate to elliptical, 2-6 cm × 1.5-4 cm, membranaceous.
• Flowers in dense verticillasters forming false spikes and disposed in terminal panicles, calyx 2-lipped, corolla about 6 mm long, pale blue or lilac.
• Nutlets flattened-globose, about 0.8 mm long, gland-dotted.

P. congestus occurs in open places, thickets, savanna and on coastal rocks, up to 1500 m altitude.

• [597] Holdsworth, D.K., 1977. Medicinal plants of Papua New Guinea. Technical Paper No 175. South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. 123 pp.
• [720] Keng, H., 1978. Labiatae. In: van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (General editor): Flora Malesiana. Series 1, Vol. 8. Sijthoff & Noordhoff International Publishers, Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. pp. 301-394.

• Plectranthus (Medicinal plants)

• Mulyati Rahayu