Justicia campylostemon
Introduction
Justicia campylostemon is an attractive, dainty, evergreen shrub with creamy yellow, hooded flowers almost all year long, that does well in the shade.
Description
Description
Justicia campylostemon is a fast growing, multi-branched shrub up to 3 m that is naturally rounded, with upright, slender, herbaceous stems. Glossy, dark green, elliptical, opposite leaves with wavy margins are an attractive feature of this plant. Arising in the axils of the upper leaves are the delicate, spreading inflorescences. Due to their extended branching, they give the impression that the flowers are scattered all over the plant.
The dainty cream-coloured flowers have green or reddish maroon speckled markings in the throat and the upper part of the flower is hooded. Flowers occur throughout most of the year with the main show being from summer until late autumn (Dec.-May). The fruits are cylindrical capsules borne on a longish stalk.
Conservation Status
Status
Justicia campylostemon is not listed on the Interim Red Data list of South African Plants (October 2007).
Distribution and habitat
Distribution description
Justicia campylostemon occurs naturally in forest understorey and on forest margins from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Swaziland. It is tolerant of a wide range of rainfall and climatic temperatures.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
History
The genus Justicia is named in honour of James Justice, 1698-1763, a Scottish horticulturist. The species name campylostemon refers to the curved stamen, from the Greek words, kampylo, meaning bent or curved, and stemon, meaning stamens.
The family Acanthaceae comprises about 250 genera and 2500 species, of which 44 genera and 350 species occur in southern Africa. The genus Justicia contains ± 420 species, cosmopolitan in warm and tropical areas, with 23 species in southern Africa where they are widespread.
Uses
Use
Justicia campylostemon is not used as a medicinal plant, although some other African and Asian species are, such as: J. flava, the yellow justicia or impela (Zulu), used to treat coughs, stomach ache and diarrhoea; and J. capensis, the money plant or ikhokhela (Zulu), used as a charm to attract customers or a job.
Leaves are also rubbed on snares to mask the human scent.
Growing Justicia campylostemon
Grow
Justicia campylostemon is easy to grow and does best in damp shade. It will tolerate poor soil but will really look its best with regular watering and fertile, compost-enriched soil. It will also tolerate and thrive in full sun.
This shrub is an excellent filler in mixed beds, or can be used for backdrop plantings or massed together under trees. It does well in containers.
Justicia campylostemon can be grown from seed and cuttings although good results can be obtained much more quickly from cuttings. Take stem and tip cuttings at any time of the year. Place in a suitable rooting medium, treat with rooting hormone to increase successful rooting. Rooting will take 3 to 4 weeks, thereafter pot up to a suitable container and grow on.
References
- Hutchings, A. 1996. Zulu medicinal plants, an inventory. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg.
- Jackson, W.P.U. 1990. Origins and meanings of names of South African plant genera. University of Cape Town Printing Dept, Cape Town.
- Leistner, O.A. (ed.). 2000. Seeds plants of southern Africa : families and genera. Strelitzia 10. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
- Manning, J. 2001. Eastern Cape. South African Wild Flower Guide 11. Botanical Society of South Africa, Cape Town.
- Pooley, E. 1998. A field guide to wild flowers of Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
Credits
Cherise Viljoen
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
May 2008
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type: Shrub
SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga
Soil type:
Flowering season: Early Summer, Late Summer, Autumn
PH: Neutral
Flower colour: Cream, Yellow
Aspect: Shade, Morning Sun (Semi Shade), Afternoon Sun (Semi Shade)
Gardening skill: Easy
Special Features:
Useful plant
Horticultural zones
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