Coleus deflexifolius (Baker) A.J.Paton

Lamiaceae (Labiatae), A.J. Paton, G. Bramley, O. Ryding, R.M. Polhill, Y.B. Harvey, M. Iwarsson, F. Willis, P.B. Phillipson, K. Balkwill, C.W. Lukhoba, D.F. Otieno, & R.M. Harley. Pycnostachys, G Bramleyshaped. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2009

Type

Type: Kenya, Naivasha District: near Lake Elmenteita, Scott Elliot 6756 (K!, holo.)

Morphology General Habit

Annual herb, 0.5–2 m tall

Morphology Stem

Stems erect, quadrangular, pubescent with short downward-pointing eglandular hairs and red sessile glands, these more plentiful on younger growth

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, sessile or subsessile; blades very narrowly to narrowly elliptic or narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 4.5–15 × 0.7–3.5 cm, serrate, apex acuminate, base gradually narrowing and attenuate to the stem, with yellow and red sessile glands and pubescent with short, stiff eglandular hairs, the hairs more plentiful on the venation beneath

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence dense, when in flower forming a very narrow conical shape, in fruit 40–55 × 18–22 mm; bracts subtending entire inflorescence narrowly ovate, 15–60 mm long, acuminate, enclosing buds then becoming deflexed in flower, pubescent and ciliate with short eglandular hairs, persistent through flowering stage; bracts subtending single flowers ± linear, 5–6 mm long, conspicuously ciliate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx with tube ± 1 mm long at anthesis, outer surface with eglandular hairs and scattered yellow and red sessile glands, inner surface with 0.5 mm long rounded-triangular scales present between calyx lobes; lobes 5, subulate, ± 2 mm long, with eglandular hairs and occasional red sessile glands; fruiting calyx with tube 3.5–4 mm long, ventrally gibbous, the scales between the lobes conspicuous, lobes somewhat curved, variable in length, 4–5(9–12) mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white or pale blue or purple, 6–7 mm long; tube with red sessile glands and eglandular hairs, very narrow and parallel-sided for 2 mm, then curving sharply downwards and broadening for 1 mm before opening into two lips; posterior lip shorter than anterior, 1–1.5 mm long, with eglandular hairs and red sessile glands; anterior lip 2–2.5 mm long, 1 mm deep, margins somewhat undulate, with eglandular hairs and red sessile glands on the front of lip

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens connate for ± 0.5 mm, barely exserted

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets ± 1.5 mm long.

Ecology

Acacia or Brachystegia woodland or wooded grassland, often on wet ground; 1500–2300 m

Conservation

Least concern; known only from the Rift Valley region of East Africa, but does not appear to be unduly threatened

Note

Pycnostachys deflexifolia is distributed throughout the Rift Valley, and is closely related to P. speciosa and P. ciliata. The species are all recognisable due to their conspicuous, densely ciliate bracts. However, P. deflexifolia can be distinguished from these species by its smaller flowers and leaves which are somewhat deflexed, and it tends to be found in wetter areas.

Distribution

Range: Not known elsewhere Flora districts: U1 K3 K5 T2 T5 T7