Embedded Files
Information obtained from Godofredo U. Stuart Jr. M.D. (StuartXchange)
Botanical information
Botanical information
Plectranthus saccatus is described as a trailing, glutinous succulent herb. The stems are obscurely four-angled, with young stems measuring 2-5 mm in diameter, purplish in color, minutely glandular pubescent, and becoming glabrous as they mature. Older stems are striate, with internodes ranging from 6-40 mm in length. The leaves of Plectranthus saccatus are ovate to broadly truncate, measuring 12-27 x 10-28 mm. Both surfaces of the leaves are minutely glandular pubescent, with the abaxial surface slightly costate. The petiole is 5-25 mm long. The racemes of Plectranthus saccatus are secund and 30-50 mm long, with linear bracts approximately 1 mm long that are caducous. The pedicels are 6-7 mm long. The calyx is 3-6 mm long (enlarging to 8 mm), with an ascending ovate upper lip and narrowly linear-lanceolate lower lobes. The corolla of Plectranthus saccatus is saccate, with a tube measuring 6-20 x 3-7 mm. The upper lip is 2-lobed, 9-13 x 7-12 mm, erect with folded back lobes, while the lower lip is horizontal or slightly drooping, blue to pale mauve-pink, and speckled with purple on the inner surface. The lower lip is 8 mm long and also speckled with purple. The stamens of Plectranthus saccatus are approximately 14 mm long, declinate in the lower lip, and free for 8 mm. The anthers are purple and bent upwards. The style measures 11-12 mm long.
Taxonomical Classification
Taxonomical Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Sub kingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Ludwigia
Species: L. octovalvis
Properties
Properties
Plectranthus saccatus is described as a trailing, glutinous succulent herb with flexible stems that can grow up to 4 meters long. The plant exhibits a decumbent to procumbent habit. No hybrids between Plectranthus saccatus subsp. pondoensis and subsp. saccatus have been observed, indicating a lack of hybridization between the two subspecies.
Habitat/Distribution
Habitat/Distribution
Plectranthus saccatus subsp. saccatus is common in forest habitats. Succulence is a characteristic found in cliff-dwelling species like Plectranthus saccatus. Plectranthus saccatus subsp. saccatus is known to be very variable, with several local forms. It is found in coastal sand forest areas from St. Lucia to Kosi Bay in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Plectranthus saccatus subsp. saccatus is often found in association with other plant species like Crassula expansa subsp. fragilis, Plectranthus petiolaris, and Cussonia arenicola in coastal sand forest regions.
Phytochemical Classification
Phytochemical Classification
Ent-7a-acetoxy-15-beyeren-18-oic acid
(13S,15S)-6b,7a,12a,19-tetrahydroxy-13b,1
6-cyclo-8-abietene-11,14-dione
coleon A and coleon A lactone
Uses
Uses
Industrial Uses:
The provided references do not give an established study about the industrial uses of P. saccatus. Furthermore, there is no information recorded on stuartxchange about this plant.
Pharmaceutical Uses:
The new diterpenoids isolated from P. saccatus showed activity against Gram-positive bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial activity of the isolated compounds suggests potential pharmaceutical applications in the development of new antimicrobial agents. Further research may explore the pharmaceutical potential of P. saccatus and its constituents in more detail.
Pharmacological Uses:
The compound was tested for their pharmacological activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. The diterpenoids showed no activity against Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans but exhibited activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, a Gram-positive bacterium. This suggests that the isolated compounds may have potential pharmacological applications as antimicrobial agents against certain types of bacteria.
Page updated
Report abuse