Soft-stem mintleaf
Plectranthus mollis

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It is small and erect. It grows 30-50 cm tall. The leaves are opposite and broadly oval. They are 5-12 cm long. They are heart shaped at the base and pointed at the top. There are teeth along the edge. The leaf stalks are 3-7 cm long. The flowers are in branched groups 7-20 cm long at the ends of branches. The flowers are pale blue and on 3-4 cm long stalks. The fruit are round and 2-3 mm across. They are brown with purple dots.

There are about 250 Plectranthus species. They are mainly in the tropics. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 900-1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bir sikinri ba, Chichithoni, Gondri, Guhya silam, Lal-agada, Nonadakasa, Perim-tolassi

Synonyms

Ocimum molle Aiton; Plectranthus cordifolius D. Don; Plectranthus incanus Link.; and others