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Plectranthus esculentus

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Photo by
Paul Latham.


Roots by Paul Latham.


Flowers by Brat Wursten, Pza.sanbi.org.

Author: Nicholas Edward Brown, 1894
Family:  LAMIACEAE
Origin:  Angola, Botswana, Burkina, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zaïre, Zimbabwe
Soil:  Mix - Rich
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  5 Centimetres
Height:  90 Centimetres
Flower:  Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings/Tubers
Names:  Kaffir Potato, Ringer Potato, Dazokartoffel, Livingstone potato
Synonyms:  Might now be: Coleus esculentus, G. Taylor, 1931.
Coleus
langouassiensis A. Chev, 1905.
Coleus dazo,
A. Chev. 1905.
Plectranthus floribundus,
Nicholas Edward Brown.
Coleus coppinii, Heckel.
Coleus floribundus,
Robyns & Lebrun.
Coleus langouassiensis,
A.Chev.
Englerastrum floribundum,
T.C.E.Fr.

This member of the Lamiaceae family was given this name by Nicholas Edward Brown in 1894. It is found in most of Africa, growing in a slightly rich and well drained soil with some water and some sun. The tubers can grow to five centimetres in diameter and 30 centimetres long. The plant will grow to 90 centimetres height and bear bright yellow flowers.

The genera name from the Greek plektron; 'spur' and anthos; 'flower', referring to the spurred flowers. The species name means 'edible' for the potato-like roots.


Plants by Tracy Mapfumo, Pza.sanbi.org.