Purple top, White-tipped hemizygia
Syncolostemon bracteosus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 70 cm high. The plant has an aroma. The stems are 4 angled. They have spreading greyish hairs. The leaves are opposite. The leaves are narrow and sword shaped. They are 4-9 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The flowers are simple. They are on a flowering shoot 12-30 cm long with 4-6 flowers. They are white tinged with red.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid regions with a marked dry season. It grows in well-drained sandy soils. It grows between 380-1,150 m above sea level. It is often along creek banks. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled in water and the tea is drunk as a refreshing drink.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dingamwe, Engamwe, Jetamakurwe, Munandwa, Ohauveve, Oshive, Zivabva

Synonyms

Ocimum bracteosum Benth.; Orthosiphon bracteosus (Benth.) Baker; Orthosiphon schinzianus Briq.; Orthosiphon rhodesianus S. Moore; Hemizygia bracteosa (Benth.) Briq.; Hemizygia junodii Briq.; Hemizygia nigritina S. Moore; Hemizygia ocimoides (A. Chev.) Briq.; Hemizygia hoepfneri Briq.; Hemizygia serrata Briq.; Bouetia ocimoides A. Chev.;