Stachytarpheta mutabilis

• Botanical Name : Stachytarpheta mutabilis (Jacq.) Vahl
• Synonyms : Verbena mutabilis Jacq.
• Common Name : Pink Snake Weed, Red Porter Weed, Changeable Velvet Berry
• Plant Family : Verbenaceae
• Plant Form : Herb
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park

About Stachytarpheta mutabilis Plant :

• Habit : A perennial herb with stems stout, branched, densely velvet-hairy or bristly throughout.
• Leaves :
  • Opposite, thick and somewhat leathery, ovate to elliptic-oblong, upper surface similar to mint leaves and lower surface densely velvety.
  • Margins serrated with teeth angled forward, acute tip, base broadly wedge-shaped to heart-shaped.
• Inflorescence :Terminal spikes, stout, densely bristly.
• Flowers : Attractive, scarlet, crimson to rose or magenta, fading pink, occasionally purple, bracteate, bracts lance-shaped or oblong.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : August - November
• Significance : Commonly cultivated in the gardens.