Giant or Tropical Salvia

Despite its name it is not part of the Salvia family!

comments (7)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

I don't usually like posting things I can't identify but this flower was just too beautiful not to post. Wildflower I am sure you can assist me with this one, even if you could just narrow it down to a family or species or something it will give me a starting point. This is growing in abundance at the side of a stream in Western Cape, South Africa and is over a metre tall. There is a possibility it is not indigenous to this area though as it is in a park. Posted 11 years ago
1. WildFlower
  
  Lion
  
  Each time I tell miself I am not going to identify plants without seeing the leaves and plant habit and I do it nevertheless...
  Your photo is very misleading - it is 2 in 1. I bet the leaf in the middle comes from a jasmine vine growing on top of the other plant, which means I cannot see the leaves. I wasted some time thinking it was a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). After a while I got to the genus Brillantaisia in the family Acanthaceae. No wonder the common name is giant or tropical Salvia. The leaves are certainly different from those of mint or sage though. I let you find the right species.
  http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/plants/acanthaceae/brillantaisia.htm
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brillantaisia
  http://tolweb.org/Brillantaisia/65588
  http://www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Acanthaceae/Brillantaisia/ Posted 11 years ago, modified 11 years ago
2. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    Oh my goodness, I did not realise it was two plants. Regrettably we both look at things from a different angle, you take in the leaves and habitat and all things to do with its identification, and I just see how pretty it is. I am learning..thank you. I will take a look at those sites and also another look at the plant...from the correct perspective! Posted 11 years ago
  2. 1. WildFlower
      
      Lion
      
      The flowers are indeed very beautiful, but not enough for identification... Posted 11 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

I am pretty sure this is Brillantaisia subulugurica but unfortunately wiki won't let me have it! I will try to get photos of the leaves next time I am there. Thank you for your help!
And yes, the other plant is a jasmin. Posted 11 years ago, modified 11 years ago
1. WildFlower
  
  Lion
  
  The accepted name for this species is Brillantaisia cicatricosa. Check these references and if you are sure it is the right one, I will create an ID for it.
  http://www.mozambiqueflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=153070
  http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=153070
  http://www.eastafricanplants.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=47&id=2669#
  http://plants.jstor.org/taxon/brillantaisia.cicatricosa Posted 11 years ago
2. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    Yes that it the correct one, thank you! I can also confirm that is is not native to this area. Posted 11 years ago