Plectranthus saccatus

Plectranthus saccatus is a semi-succulent perennial growing from 30 cm to 1,2 m in height. The plant branches from its woody base, the soft stems purple and hairy.

The species distribution lies along the east coast forests of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The habitat is bush and evergreen forest where the plants form part of undergrowth in rocky places, a shade plant. P. saccatus is not considered threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

There are several P. saccatus varieties, including var. longitubus with long corolla tube, var. saccatus with shorter leaves and var. pondoensis with short tube and trailing branches (Eliovson, 1984; iSpot; www.plantzafrica.com; www.redlist.sanbi.org).