Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb up to 0.3 m tall with erect growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Smooth, silvery green leaves have reddish leaf margin and veins. They are ovate (egg-shaped) with a toothed leaf margin. |
| Stems | Purple to reddish purple stems are 4-sided and hairy. |
| Flowers | Light purple, tubular flowers are densely clustered in a spike inflorescence. |
| Fruit | This hybrid is usually sterile and does not produce fruits. |
| Cultivation | In Singapore, it is best grown under filtered sun and moderate watering. Intense afternoon sun is likely to burn the leaves. It doesn't grow well when it becomes rootbound. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Unlike other mint cultivars, 'Eau de Cologne' is not used for culinary purposes. It is mainly grown for its perfume-like fragrance, and the leaves can be added to potpourri. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden, Economic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Stolon / Runner |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks | Silvery green leaf with reddish veins. |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31190 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5584 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
