Plectranthus ecklonii flowers

These bright blue Plectranthus ecklonii flowers were photographed in the Jan Marais Nature Reserve in Stellenbosch during March.

The slightly widening corolla tube ends in the lobes of the two lips. The single-lobed lower lip is longer, ending in a boat-shape that initially curves up, later lowering to allow the stamens and style to be far exserted, even sagging as they age. The upper lip is lobed and wavy.

The leaf margins are serrated, the blades quilt-like from sunken lateral veins and net-veining (Manning, 2009).