Mutandamasenya

bracteosus: bearing (conspicuous) bracts; referring to the colourful bracts topping the inflorescence

Annual or perennial herb, up to 70 cm tall. Stems 4-angled with spreading greyish hairs. Leaves opposite, sessile, narrowly lanceolate, 4-10 cm long, pubescent on both surfaces; margin with small, widely spread teeth. Flowers in 5-12 more or less widely separated whorls, together appearing as a terminal inflorescence, topped by a crown of terminal bright purple, mauve or whitish bracts. Corolla white, sometimes with purple markings in the throat or on the upper lip.

Common

Widespread in tropical and South Africa