''Plectranthus fruticosus'', the forest spurflower, is a
species of
flowering plant in the mint
family Lamiaceae,
native to South Africa. Growing up to tall, it is an erect
evergreen shrub, with rounded, hairy leaves, and spikes of soft blue or mauve flowers in summer.
The Latin
specific epithet
In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...
''fruticosus'' means “shrubby”.
This plant is found throughout the Western Cape and Limpopo regions, enjoying the moist conditions and dappled shade of forest margins.
It has a long history of cultivation in Europe, where it requires protection from freezing temperatures. Several
cultivars are available, of which the pink-flowered ‘James’ has won the
Royal Horticultural Society’s
Award of Garden Merit
The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions.
History
The Award of Garden Merit ...
.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1918328
Flora of the Cape Provinces
fruticosus