Plectranthus rotundifolius

  

Coleus rotundifolius, synonyms Plectranthus rotundifolius and Solenostemon rotundifolius, commonly known as native or country potato in Africa and called Chinese potato in India, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to tropical Africa. It is cultivated for its edible tubers primarily in West Africa, as well as more recently in parts of Asia, especially India, Sri Lanka,Malaysia, and Indonesia.

C. rotundifolius is closely related to the coleus plants widely cultivated as ornamentals and is now again placed in the genus Coleus, after being placed in the defunct genus Solenostemon and in Plectranthus.

Scientific Synonyms:

• Calchas parviflorus (Benth.) P.V.Heath
• Coleus dysentericus Baker

Family name:

• LAMIACEAE

English name:

• Country Potato
• Chinese Potato
• Madagascar Potato

Sinhala name:

• Innala (?????)

Tamil name:

• Siru Kizhangu

Description:

• Coleus rotundafolius (Poir.) A. Cheval. & Perr. LAMIACEAE, Innala Herb perenating by means of lateral, tuberous roots, tubers globose-ovoid,to 5 x 3 cm; young stems to 23 cm high.Leaves 3.6-6.6 x 2.6-6 cm; petioles 0.8-3 cm long. Racemes simple, to 20 cm long; verticals 6-14-flowered. Floral leaves 3 x 2.5 mm long; pedicels 1.5-2 mmlong, pinkish-purple. Corolla 9-12 mm long, tube 4-5 long, dotted with yellowish oil globules, pale mauvish-pink, 4-5 mm long.

Treatment for:

• Haemorrhoids

Parts used in Treatment:

• Tuber

Related Medical Properties:

• Vermifuge