Entry From
Flora of South Africa, (2003) Author: Dr J.P. Roux
Common names
Coleus schinzii Gurke in Bull. Herb. Boissier 6: 555 (1898); Bak. in F.T.A. 5: 430 (1900). Type: S.W.A./Namibia, Ovamboland, Tsumeb, Schinz 56 (Z, holo.!). C. pentheri Giirke in Annln naturh. Mus. Wien 20: 48 (1905); Cooke in F.C. 5,1: 289 (1910); Bruce in Hooker's Icon. PI. 34: t.3375 (1938). Type: Cape Province, Albany District, Breakfast Vlei, Krook in Herb. Penther 1716 (W, holo.!; PRE!). C. carnosus Dinter, ined.; Dinter ex Eliovson, S. Afr. Flow, for the Gdn 165 (1955), illustr. only. C. neochilus (Schltr.) Codd in Bothalia 7: 432 (1961); Letty, Wild Flow. Transv. 288, t.143,2 (1962).
Habitat
The species varies a good deal in vegetative characters. In S.W. A./Namibia the plants often behave as annuals with ascending stems, whereas in the eastern parts of its range the plants tend to be perennial and the stems decumbent; some plants occurring in grassy places have tuberous roots. In all forms the leaves are unpleasantly scented and the floral characters are relatively constant. The distinctions between P. neochilus and the closely related P. caninus (no. 12) and P. ornatus (below) are discussed in Bothalia 11: 393 (1975).
Use
13. Plectranthus neochilus Schltr. in J. Bot., Lond. 34: 394 (1896); Cooke in F.C. 5, 1: 285 (1910); Launert & Schreiber in F.S.W.A. 123: 25 (1969); Ross, Fl. Natal 305 (1972); Codd in Bothalia 11: 392 (1975). Type: Transvaal, Barberton, Rimers Creek, Galpin 968 (K, holo.!; GRA!; NH!).
Range
Recorded from Zambia, Zimbabwe, northern S.W.A./Namibia, Botswana, central and eastern Transvaal, Swaziland, Natal Midlands and eastern Cape as far south as Albany District; usually under trees in open woodland and among rocks (especially dolomite) in grassland. Map 78.