''Plectranthus ambiguus'', the pincushion spurflower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to South Africa. Its cultivar 'Manguzuku' has gained the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nor ...

's Award of Garden Merit. Flowers are pinkish purple with faint purple lines on the upper edge.

Ecology

''Plectranthus ambiguus'' flowers from January to March. Among the ''Plectranthus'' species, ''Plectranthus ambiguus'' is considered a longer-tubed species with an average tube length of 28.1 mm. It is pollinated by a number of insects, such as species of '' Stenobasipteron'' (tangle-veined flies) and bees such as '' Allodape pernix''. When deprived of nitrogen, ''Plectranthus ambiguus'' begins losing leaves after two weeks, with all leaves shed in three to four weeks. When nitrogen is returned to the soil, new leaves emerge from the plant's axillary buds.

Medicinal uses

''Plectranthus ambiguus'', known as ''iboza'' in Zulu, has been used by the

Zulu people Zulu people (; zu, amaZulu) are a Nguni ethnic group native to Southern Africa. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, with an estimated 10–12 million people, living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Nata ...

as a medicinal plant for a number of conditions, including skin sores, chest complaints,

tonsillitis Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils in the upper part of the throat. It can be acute or chronic. Acute tonsillitis typically has a rapid onset. Symptoms may include sore throat, fever, enlargement of the tonsils, trouble swallowing, and en ...

, fever, cough, and eye problems. Reports from the 1950s noted its use in treating respiratory ailments - the leaves are crushed and mixed with hot water to make a tonic for colds.

References

ambiguus Endemic flora of South Africa Flora of the Cape Provinces Flora of KwaZulu-Natal Plants described in 1964 {{Lamiaceae-stub