Entry From
Flora of South Africa, (2003) Author: Dr J.P. Roux
Common names
Adhatoda betonica (L.) Nees: 102 (1832); Nees: 385 (1847). Nicoteba betonica (L.) Lindau: 329 (1895a). J. trinervia Vahl: 156 (1804). Dicliptera trinervia (Vahl) Juss.: 169 (1807). Adhatoda trinervia (Vahl) Nees: 103 (1832); Nees: 386 (1847). Nicoteba trinervia (Vahl) Lindau: 329 (1895a). Type: East India, Rbttler s.n. (not found). A. variegata Nees: 385 (1847). Type: Abyssinia [Ethiopia], Sana District, dry hills near Dochli, Schimper 516 (G-DC; microfiche at PRE!). A. variegata var. pallidior Nees: 385 (1847). J. pallidior (Nees) C.B. Clarke: 58 (1901). Type: Transvaal, Apies River, Burke 514 (K, photo, at PRE!). A. lupulina Nees: 385 (1847). Types: Natal, Port Natal [Durban], Peddie s.n. (not found); Harvey s.n. (not found); Natal, between the Umkomaas River and Durban Bay, Drege s.n. (G-DC, microfiche at PRE!; P!). A. cheiranthifolia Nees: 387 (1847). J. cheiranthifolia (Nees) C.B. Clarke: 58 (1901); Martineau: 80 (1953); Van der Schijff: 88 (1969); Compton: 564 (1976). Type: Transvaal, Magaliesberg, Burke s.n. (K, photo, at PRE!). J. betonicoides Burkill & C.B. Clarke: 184 (1900); C.B. Clarke: 58 (1901); Binns: 14 (1968); Van der Schijff: 88 (1969); Agnew: 604 (1974); Compton: 564 (1976). Type: Sudan, Jur, Jur Ghattas, Schweinfurth 1423 (K, lecto. chosen by Graham: 586 (1988).
Habitat
The leaf shape and size in J. betonica is very variable, but the species as a whole is easily distinguished by the lanceolate to ovate, reticulately coloured bracts.
Use
4. Justicia betonica L., Species plantarum: 15 (1753); T. Anderson: 38 (1863); CB. Clarke: 525 (1885); Trimen: 333 (1895); Burkill & CB. Clarke: 184 (1900); C.B. Clarke: 57 (1901); Andrews: 177 (1956); Heine: 427 (1963); Binns: 14 (1968); P.G. Mey.: 35 (1968); Agnew: 603 (1974); Compton: 563 (1976); Immelman: 40 (1986a). Type: Ceylon, Hermann vol. 3, fol. 2 (BM, lecto. chosen by Graham: 586 (1988), photo, at PRE!).
Range
Namibia, northern Botswana, Transvaal, Swaziland, Natal, Transkei, and the eastern Cape as far south as Fort Beaufort; also widespread in tropical Africa and India, and was originally described from an Indian specimen. It is one of the most common species in the genus, growing in grassveld, open bushveld or savanna, often in sandy or rocky soil, and often along watercourses. Map 9.