Plant of

the Month July 2020

Distribution Information Name: etradenia riparia Eastern , , , , Malawi, This is widely distributed and widely used in Southern (Hochst.) Codd , Swaziland and Zimbabwe.. Africa. It was formerly known botanically as Iboza riparia. Iboza is a Zulu word that refers to the aromatic and Family: Lamiacae Native Habitat medicinal qualities of the leaves. They have been used in Along riverbanks, forest margins, dry wooded valleys and Genus: Tetra - four and aden - glands. traditional medicine to treat chest complaints, headaches, hillsides, in areas with little or no frost. diarrhoea, toothache, dengue fever and . Scientific Species epithet: riparia - of or near riverbanks. Description studies have shown that leaf extracts do inhibit the growth Refers to one of the species An evergreen or deciduous shrub or small tree, 2- 5 metres of bacteria and other research has shown compounds in the tall, with semi-succulent, brittle stems. Leaves are simple leaf moderate the malaria parasite in the laboratory. habitats. and heart-shaped with distinctive, bluntly toothed margins. riparia is a very popular ornamental shrub in Common Name: Misty Plume Bush They are covered with glandular hairs on both sides. The warm temperate gardens, as it provides a spectacular show underside with whitish velvety hairs. Leaves are sticky and of lilac flowers in the depths of winter, when little else may strongly aromatic, sometimes described as having a be flowering. Like other members of the or Mint smell. family, the aromatic leaves are also a feature, releasing their Flowers scent when brushed against. respond well to a hard Flowers appear on branched at the end of prune, cutting stems back by half, after flowering. This will stems. Individual flowers are about 3 mm in diameter and prevent the plants becoming tall and leggy and stop brittle range in colour from white to lilac, including some that are branches snapping in strong winds. pink. This is one of the plants propagated by volunteers from Location in Garden our Growing Friends team. They select unusual and unique Bed 7 near the Levy Fountain and the Herb Garden. plants from our collection to grow and sell to the public at Use our new Garden Explorer plant finder at: our Growing Friends Nursery. https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/Visit/Garden-Explorer Money raised helps support our science, horticulture and education programs.

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