NEW SOUTH WALES FLORA ONLINE

Printable Page

Synonyms: Plectranthus cremnus B.J.Conn APNI*

Description: Prostrate to decumbent herb, covered by a distinctive indumentum of long, patent non-glandular trichomes, producing a pleasant scent (Geranium-like odour) when touched or crushed. Branches densely covered by curved, slightly antrorse non-glandular hairs and longer patent non-glandular hairs. Does not form a distinctive tuber and notably lacks coloured sessile multicellular glands.

Leaves weakly discolorous; petiole 15–25 mm long; lamina depressed to very broadly ovate, 35–40 mm long, 45–50 mm wide, apex obtuse to rounded, base subtruncate, margin bicrenate with 5 pairs of rounded teeth (with 1 or 2 secondary teeth), upper and lower surface densely hairy as stems; lower surface with venation strongly raised.

Inflorescence up to 150 mm long, consisting of up to 3 racemose branches, verticillasters c.10-flowered. Pedicel 3.5–5 mm long. Calyx c. 1.5 mm long. Corolla tube white and lobes bright blue with purple tinge, c. 6 mm long; tube 4.4 mm long, slightly curved downwards c. 30°. Stamen 3.9–4.9 mm long, not exserted past lower corolla lobe, pollen white. Style 7.5–8.2 mm long.

Fruiting calyx accrescent, approximately 3–4 mm long. Mericarp glossy dark brown, 0.8–1 mm long, 0.8–1 wide, compressed-spherical.

Illustration N. Oram

Flowering: throughout the year, more commonly in warmer months.

Distribution and occurrence: Found along coastal headlands of northern New South Wales.

Uncommon, grows in shallow sandy soil within crevices of basaltic outcrops and scree associated with coastal headlands.
NSW subdivisions: NC, NC

AVH map***

Growth form appears most similar to C. australis, which is also a small prostrate herb growing along coastal areas, including nearby areas where C. cremnus is found. Coleus cremnus can be distinguished from C. australis as its stems or leaves when crushed produce a more pleasant scent (vs. a pungent medicinal scent).