Tetradenia riparia

Tetradenia riparia at Quinta do Palheiro, Funchal Madeira

Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd

Bothalia 14: 181. 1983.

Basionym :

Moschosma riparium Hochst.

Flora 28: 67. 1845.

n. sp. 331 Moschosma riparium Hochst. (Plectranthus riparius Hochst. in schedulis). Totum pubescentia patula tectum, foliis petiolatis, ovatis, serratis, versus basio cuneatis integerrimis, verticillis remotis, rarifloris, calycis pedicellum subaequantis dente supremo ovato paululum decurrente, ceteris angustis, infimis longioribus, staminibus corolla brevioribus. (Hochst.) -- Inter arundines ad fluvium Umlass River terrae Natalensis Decembri 1839 florit.

Flora, oder, Botanische Zeitung :welche Recensionen, Abhandlungen, Aufsätze, Neuigkeiten und Nachrichten, die Botanik betreffend, enthält /herausgegeben von der Königl. Botanischen Gesellschaft in Regensburg. Vol 28 (1845) p. 67

Better known as Iboza riparia

The natural habitat of Tetradenia riparia is along river banks, forest margins, dry wooded valleys and hillsides in areas where there is little frost. The natural distribution ranges from KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Province, Mpumalanga in South Africa to Swaziland, Namibia, Angola and northwards through tropical east Africa into Ethiopia.

This plant was previously classified under the genus Iboza, which was derived from its Zulu name and apparently this refers to the aromatic qualities of the plant. The Zulu people have many uses for the plant including the relief of chest complaints, stomach ache and malaria. Inhaling the scent of the crushed leaves apparently also relieves headaches.

http://www.plantzafrica.com/planttuv/tetradenripar.htm

Iboza riparia N.E. Br.

Male and female flowers borne on separate plants. There are at least two clones in cultivation in Portugal one with paler lilac flowers than the other. White and pink forms unknown. Easily propagated by cuttings.