Typical of the Lamiaceae family
Ecology & growing context
- Native status · Kew WCVP
- WCVP native range includes India Kew dataset ↗
Kew WCVP dataset; listed synonym of Coleus malabaricus. Dataset matching is separate from an individual regional review. Recorded worldwide native range: S. India, Sri Lanka.
- Recorded habitat
- Evergreen forests
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Occurrence records show where a plant has been recorded; they do not establish that it is native there. Compare local habitat and growing conditions when choosing plants for a garden.
How to identify Malabar Hullwort
Identify Malabar Hullwort by combining habit, leaf characters, flower or fruit details, location, and its family pattern. Do not rely on one feature alone.
- Look for a herb habit.
- Confirm leaf surface: Glabrous (smooth, hairless).
- Confirm flower colour: Purple.
- In season, compare flowering and fruiting time: August-December.
- Confirm it sits within the Lamiaceae family pattern, then compare close relatives before deciding it is Malabar Hullwort.
Plant Details
Leaf characters
- Leaf surface
- Glabrous (smooth, hairless)recorded
Typical of the family
Characters marked “recorded” are for Malabar Hullwort itself; the rest are typical of the Lamiaceae family.
Flower & fruit characters
- Flower colour
- PurplerecordedPurple or violet
Typical of the family
- Inflorescence
- Cyme
- Fruit
- Nutlets
Characters marked “recorded” are for Malabar Hullwort itself; the rest are typical of the Lamiaceae family — flowering plants only.
About Malabar Hullwort
Malabar Hullwort (Plectranthus malabaricus) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, where it grows as a herb. It grows in evergreen forests. Flowering and fruiting run from August to December.
Lamiaceae
Mint/Sage family
Malabar Hullwort belongs to the Lamiaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
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Common plant problems
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