Japanese name: ポゴステモン ベンガレンシス Scientific name:Pogostemon benghalensis
[Overview]
A perennial.
The stem is square in cross section.
The leaves are simple and opposite, ovate, about 13 cm long and 6 cm wide, with pointed double serrations.
The petiole is about 2.5 cm long.
Verticillasters 7 cm long at the branch tips bear densely packed flowers.
The flowers are white and labiate, with purple spots.
The filaments of the stamens are purple and have hairs in the middle.
The fruit is a schizocarp.
[Uses]
The leaves are strongly fragrant, and essential oil is extracted from them.
Besides being used as a fragrance, the whole plant is used medicinally.
It is also useful as a nectar source plant.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
Because it grows in slightly moist places in the tropics, it can be grown in frost-free areas with a minimum temperature of 5 °C or above.
