Plectranthus patchoulii C. B. Clarke ex J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 4: 624. 1885; Microtoena cymosa Prain; M. insuavis (Hance) Prain ex Dunn.

Herbs. Stems 1-2 m tall, spreading villous, retrorse tomentose, base semiwoody, much branched. Petiole of stem leaves 1.5-4 cm; leaf blade usually triangular-ovate, 2.5-9 × 2-7.5 cm, strigose, densely so abaxially on veins, base broadly cuneate to subcordate, margin coarsely mucronate-serrate, apex acute. Cymes ± 1-sided, axillary or in terminal panicles; floral leaves 0.8-2.1 × 0.3-1.5 cm, gradually reduced toward stem apex; bracts linear, ca. 2-3 mm. Calyx ca. 3 × 1.7 mm, densely glandular pubescent and hirtellous; teeth subequal, lanceolate, to as long as calyx; fruiting calyx dilated, conspicuously netted. Corolla ca. 1.5 cm, glabrous, mouth ca. 3 mm wide; upper lip purple or brown, ca. 7 mm, base truncate, apex emarginate; lower lip oblong, middle lobe narrowly ligulate, ca. 0.7 × 0.4 mm; lateral lobes ovate, ca. 2 mm wide. Nutlets black-brown, triquetrous, ovoid, ca. 1.6 × 1.3 mm, smooth. Fl. Oct-Feb, fr. Feb-Mar.

An aromatic herb used medicinally for coughs, asthma, abdominal pain, and enteritis.

Forests, open grassy slopes; (600-)1100-2000 m. Yunnan [India, Myanmar]