''Lobostemon'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae. Its native range is South Africa. The majority of species are limited to the winter rainfall area of the country, from Springbok to Mossel Bay. In Afrikaans these species are known as ''agtdaegeneesbos'', or loosely translated, bush that will heal in eight days. As this name suggests, many species have medicinal properties. This is best known from ''Lobostemon fruticosus'', which is used for treating wounds, blood poisoning, ringworm, skin diseases and

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Taxonomy

This genus belongs to the forget-me-not family, Boraginaceae. It is closely relaated to the European genus '' Echium'' but differs by the presence of staminal scales in ''Lobostemon.'' The genus name is derived from Latin ''lobos,'' meaning lobe, and the Greek word ''stemon,'' meaning stamen.

Description

This genus is made up of perennial shrubs with

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that may be hairless or hairy. Plants become densely flowered in early spring. The flowers have 5

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, petals, and stamens and are usually bell-shaped. The sepals are mostly free (unfused) and are often dissimilar in size. The staminal filaments are typically well-developed, but they may be reduced to ridges or mere swellings and hairy. The stamen filaments are free from petals or variously fused above staminal scales.

Distribution and habitat

This genus is endemic to South Africa. It is confined to the winter rainfall area from Springbok to Mossel Bay, but several species have ranges that extend further eastward along the coast to about Makhanda, where rain occurs throughout the year.

Ecology

Plants in this genus are resprouters, re-emerging most frequently after a fire. The majority of the species in this genus are pollinated by insects, although those with red flowers tend to be pollinated by birds instead.

Species

The following species are recognised: *Blue rocket bugloss ''

Lobostemon argenteus ''Lobostemon argenteus'', or the silver healthbush, blue rocket bugloss or disselblaarluibos, is a species in the forget-me-not family that is endemic to South Africa. Description This shrublet grows up to in height, although more typically ...

'' *Gouriqua lobostemon ''

Lobostemon belliformis ''Lobostemon belliformis'', the Gouriqua lobostemon or beaut healthbush, is a critically endangered species in the forget-me-not family. It is known from a single locality on the Riversdale Plain in South Africa. Description This species is ...

'' *Brush healthbush ''

Lobostemon capitatus ''Lobostemon capitatus'' is a species belonging to the forget-me-not family. It is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa, where it is found between Porterville and Bredasdorp. Description ''Lobostemon capitatus'' is a shrub that grows ...

'' *Ash healthbush ''

Lobostemon cinereus ''Lobostemon cinereus'', the ash healthbush, is a species belonging to the forget-me-not family. It is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Description This species is similar in appearance to '' Lobostemon trichotomus''. It is a s ...

'' *Pajama bush ''

Lobostemon collinus ''Lobostemon collinus'', the pyjamabush or iron healthbush, is a species belonging to the forget me not family. It is known only from the fynbos biome of the Western Cape of South Africa. Description This shrublet grows tall. The stalkless l ...

'' *Largeflower healthbush ''

Lobostemon curvifolius ''Lobostemon curvifolius'', the largeflower healthbush, is a species of the forget-me-not family from South Africa. Description ''Lobostemon curvifolius'' is a resprouting shrub which grows up to in height.BODATSA: Botanical Collections. v1. ...

'' *Infanta healthbush ''

Lobostemon daltonii ''Lobostemon daltonii'', the Infanta healthbush, is a species of the forget-me-not family endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. ...

'' *Rooiberg healthbush ''

Lobostemon decorus ''Lobostemon decorus'', the Rooiberg healthbush, is a species belonging to the forget-me-not family. It is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost count ...

'' *Common healthbush ''

Lobostemon echioides ''Lobostemon echioides'', the common healthbush, is the mostly widely distributed species in its genus. It is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, where it is found growing between Namaqualand and the Karoo and the Eastern Cape The ...

'' *Eightday healthbush ''

Lobostemon fruticosus ''Lobostemon fruticosus'', also known as the eightday healthbush or pyjamabush, is a species of medicinal plant endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. It is considered to be ecologically and economically important but is declining due t ...

'' *Renoster healthbush ''

Lobostemon glaber ''Lobostemon glaber'', the renoster healthbush, is a species of plant from South Africa. It is in the forget-me not family. Description This shrub grows tall. It has both woody and herbaceous branches. The herbaceous branches and the stemles ...

'' *Smooth-leaved bush bugloss ''

Lobostemon glaucophyllus ''Lobostemon glaucophyllus'', the smooth-leaved bush bugloss or grey healthbush, is a South African plant species belonging to the forget-me-not family. It is endemic to South Africa's Cape Provinces. Description This resprouting shrub grows ...

'' *Robertson healthbush '' Lobostemon gracilis'' *Helderberg healthbush '' Lobostemon hottentoticus'' *Arid healthbush '' Lobostemon laevigatus'' *Limestone healthbush ''

Lobostemon lucidus ''Lobostemon'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae. Its native range is South Africa. The majority of species are limited to the winter rainfall area of the country, from Springbok to Mossel Bay. In Afrikaan ...

'' *Kleinkaroo healthbush '' Lobostemon marlothii'' *Turquoise bush bugloss ''

Lobostemon montanus ''Lobostemon montanus'', the turquoise bush bugloss, mountain lobostemon or agtdaegeneesbos, is a South Africa, South African species belonging to the Boraginaceae, forget-me-not family. Description Growth form This branching shrub typicall ...

'' *Ugly eightday curebush '' Lobostemon muirii'' *Hairy healthbush ''

Lobostemon oederifolius ''Lobostemon'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae. Its native range is South Africa. The majority of species are limited to the winter rainfall area of the country, from Springbok to Mossel Bay. In Afrikaans th ...

'' *Horrid healthbush '' Lobostemon paniculatus'' *Heuwel healthbush '' Lobostemon paniculiformis'' *Kloof healthbush '' Lobostemon regulariflorus'' *Potberg eightday curebush '' Lobostemon sanguineus'' *Karoo healthbush ''

Lobostemon stachydeus ''Lobostemon'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae. Its native range is South Africa. The majority of species are limited to the winter rainfall area of the country, from Springbok to Mossel Bay. In Afrikaans th ...

'' *Western Karoo healthbush '' Lobostemon strigosus'' *Bokkeveld healthbush ''

Lobostemon trichotomus ''Lobostemon'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae. Its native range is South Africa. The majority of species are limited to the winter rainfall area of the country, from Springbok to Mossel Bay. In Afrikaans th ...

'' *Eastern healthbush '' Lobostemon trigonus''

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5644154 Boraginaceae Boraginaceae genera