List of Lamiaceae of South Africa

Lamiaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly referred to as the ″mint family″. The country of South Africa has 301 accepted taxa belonging to this family, as ennumerated in an annual checklist of all indigenous and naturalised plant species published by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

What follows is a list of Lamiaceae taxa of plants present within the borders of South Africa (excluding the distant Prince Edward Islands) as of March 2025.

Genus Acrotome:^[1]

• Acrotome angustifolia G.Taylor, indigenous
• Acrotome hispida Benth., indigenous
• Acrotome inflata Benth., indigenous
• Acrotome pallescens Benth., indigenous
• Acrotome thorncroftii Skan, indigenous

Genus Aeollanthus:^[1]

• Aeollanthus buchnerianus Briq., indigenous
• Aeollanthus neglectus (Dinter) Launert, indigenous
• Aeollanthus parvifolius Benth., indigenous
• Aeollanthus rehmannii Gurke, indigenous
• Aeollanthus suaveolens Mart. ex Spreng., indigenous

Genus Ajuga:^[1]

• Ajuga ophrydis Burch. ex Benth., indigenous

Genus Basilicum:^[1]

• Basilicum polystachyon (L.) Moench, indigenous

Genus Cantinoa:^[1]

• Cantinoa americana (Aubl.) Harley & J.F.B.Pastore, naturalised
• Cantinoa mutabilis (Rich.) Harley & J.F.B.Pastore, naturalised

Genus Cedronella:^[1]

• Cedronella canariensis (L.) Webb & Berthel., naturalised (invasive)

Genus Clerodendrum:^[1]

• Clerodendrum africanum Moldenke, endemic
• Clerodendrum bungei Steud., naturalised (invasive)
• Clerodendrum makanjanum H.J.P.Winkl., indigenous
• Clerodendrum pleiosciadium Gurke, indigenous
• Clerodendrum ternatum Schinz, indigenous

Genus Coleus:^[1]

• Coleus aliciae (Codd) A.J.Paton, endemic
• Coleus amboinicus Lour., indigenous
• Coleus autranii Briq., indigenous
• Coleus barbatus (Andrews) Benth. ex G.Don
  • Coleus barbatus var. grandis (L.H.Cramer) A.J.Paton, naturalised (invasive)
• Coleus bojeri Benth., indigenous
• Coleus calycinus (Benth.) A.J.Paton, endemic
• Coleus caninus (Roth) Vatke
  • Coleus caninus subsp. flavovirens (Gurke) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus comosus Hochst. ex Gurke, naturalised
• Coleus cylindraceus (Hochst. ex Benth.) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus dolichopodus (Briq.) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus esculentus (N.E.Br.) G.Taylor, indigenous
• Coleus gibbosus A.J.Paton, endemic
• Coleus grandidentatus (Gurke) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus hadiensis (Forssk.) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus hereroensis (Engl.) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus kirkii (Baker) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus lasianthus Gurke, indigenous
• Coleus leemannii (N.Hahn) A.J.Paton, endemic
• Coleus livingstonei A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus madagascariensis (Pers.) A.Chev., indigenous
• Coleus mutabilis (Codd) A.J.Paton, endemic
• Coleus neochilus (Schltr.) Codd, indigenous
• Coleus pentheri Gurke, indigenous
• Coleus porcatus (Van Jaarsv. & P.J.D.Winter) A.J.Paton, endemic
• Coleus psammophilus (Codd) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus rotundifolius (Poir.) A.Chev. & Perrot, indigenous
• Coleus subspicatus (Hochst.) Walp., indigenous
• Coleus tetragonus (Gurke) Robyns & Lebrun, indigenous
• Coleus venteri (Van Jaarsv. & Hankey) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Coleus xerophilus (Codd) A.J.Paton, endemic

Genus Endostemon:^[1]

• Endostemon obtusifolius (E.Mey. ex Benth.) N.E.Br., indigenous
• Endostemon tenuiflorus (Benth.) M.Ashby, indigenous
• Endostemon tereticaulis (Poir.) M.Ashby, indigenous

Genus Equilabium:^[1]

• Equilabium dolomiticum (Codd) Mwany. & A.J.Paton, endemic
• Equilabium laxiflorum (Benth.) Mwany., A.J.Paton & Culham, indigenous
• Equilabium petiolare (Benth.) Mwany. & A.J.Paton, endemic

Genus Hoslundia:^[1]

• Hoslundia opposita Vahl, indigenous

Genus Kalaharia:^[1]

• Kalaharia uncinata (Schinz) Moldenke, indigenous

Genus Karomia:^[1]

• Karomia speciosa (Hutch. & Corbishley) R.Fern.
  • Karomia speciosa forma speciosa, indigenous
  • Karomia speciosa forma flava (Moldenke) R.Fern., indigenous

Genus Killickia:^[1]

• Killickia compacta (Killick) Brauchler, Heubl & Doroszenko, endemic
• Killickia grandiflora (Killick) Brauchler, Heubl & Doroszenko, endemic
• Killickia lutea Brauchler, endemic
• Killickia pilosa (Benth.) Brauchler, Heubl & Doroszenko, endemic

Genus Lamium:^[1]

• Lamium amplexicaule L., naturalised (invasive)
• Lamium galeobdolon Crantz, naturalised

Genus Leonotis:^[2]

• Leonotis capensis (Benth.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, accepted as Leonotis pentadentata J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, indigenous
• Leonotis dubia E.Mey. indigenous
• Leonotis intermedia Lindl. indigenous
• Leonotis leonurus (L.) R.Br. indigenous
• Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R.Br. indigenous
• Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm.f.) Iwarsson, indigenous
  • Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm.f.) Iwarsson var. raineriana (Vis.) Iwarsson, accepted as Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm.f.) Iwarsson, present
  • Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm.f.) Iwarsson var. schinzii (Gurke) Iwarsson, accepted as Leonotis schinzii Gurke, present
• Leonotis pentadentata J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, indigenous
• Leonotis randii S.Moore, indigenous
• Leonotis schinzii Gurke, indigenous

Genus Leucas:^[2]

• Leucas capensis (Benth.) Engl. accepted as Leonotis pentadentata J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, indigenous
• Leucas ebracteata Peyr. var. kaokoveldensis Sebald, accepted as Leonotis ebracteata (Peyr.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt var. kaokoveldensis (Sebald) J.C.Manning & Goldb
  • Leucas glabrata (Vahl) Sm. accepted as Leonotis glabrata (Vahl) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, present
  • Leucas glabrata (Vahl) Sm. var. glabrata, accepted as Leonotis glabrata (Vahl) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt var. glabrata, indigenous
  • Leucas glabrata (Vahl) Sm. var. linearis Codd, accepted as Leonotis glabrata (Vahl) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt var. linearis (Codd) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, endemic
• Leucas lavandulifolia Sm., naturalised (invasive)
• Leucas martinicensis (Jacq.) R.Br. accepted as Leonotis martinicensis (Jacq.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, indigenous
• Leucas neuflizeana Courbon, accepted as Leonotis neuflizeana (Courbon) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, indigenous
• Leucas pechuelii (Kuntze) Gurke, accepted as Leonotis pechuelii (Kuntze) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
• Leucas sexdentata Skan, accepted as Leonotis sexdentata (Skan) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, indigenous

Genus Marrubium:^[1]

• Marrubium vulgare L., naturalised

Genus Mentha:^[1]

• Mentha aquatica L., indigenous
• Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds.
  • Mentha longifolia subsp. capensis (Thunb.) Briq., indigenous
  • Mentha longifolia subsp. polyadena (Briq.) Briq., endemic
  • Mentha longifolia subsp. wissii (Launert) Codd, endemic
• Mentha pulegium L., naturalised (invasive)

Genus Mesosphaerum:^[1]

• Mesosphaerum pectinatum (L.) Kuntze, naturalised

Genus Micromeria:^[1]

• Micromeria imbricata (Forssk.) C.Chr.
  • Micromeria imbricata var. imbricata, indigenous

Genus Ocimum:^[1]

• Ocimum x africanum Lour., indigenous
• Ocimum americanum L.
  • Ocimum americanum var. americanum, indigenous
• Ocimum angustifolium Benth., indigenous
• Ocimum burchellianum Benth., endemic
• Ocimum coddii (S.D.Will. & K.Balkwill) A.J.Paton, endemic
• Ocimum dolomiticola A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Ocimum filamentosum Forssk., indigenous
• Ocimum gratissimum L.
  • Ocimum gratissimum subsp. gratissimum var. gratissimum, indigenous
• Ocimum labiatum (N.E.Br.) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Ocimum motjaneanum McCallum & K.Balkwill, indigenous
• Ocimum natalense Ayob. ex A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Ocimum obovatum E.Mey. ex Benth.
  • Ocimum obovatum subsp. obovatum var. obovatum, indigenous
  • Ocimum obovatum subsp. obovatum var. galpinii (Gurke) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Ocimum pseudoserratum (M.Ashby) A.J.Paton, endemic
• Ocimum reclinatum (S.D.Will. & K.Balkwill) A.J.Paton, endemic
• Ocimum serratum (Schltr.) A.J.Paton, indigenous
• Ocimum tubiforme (R.D.Good) A.J.Paton, endemic
• Ocimum waterbergense (S.D.Will. & K.Balkwill) A.J.Paton, endemic

Genus Orthosiphon:^[1]

• Orthosiphon fruticosus Codd, endemic
• Orthosiphon schimperi Benth., indigenous
• Orthosiphon thymiflorus (Roth) Sleesen, indigenous

Genus Platostoma:^[1]

• Platostoma rotundifolium (Briq.) A.J.Paton, indigenous

Genus Plectranthus:^[1]

• Plectranthus ambiguus (Bolus) Codd, indigenous
• Plectranthus brevimentum T.J.Edwards, endemic
• Plectranthus ciliatus E.Mey. ex Benth., indigenous
• Plectranthus ecklonii Benth., endemic
• Plectranthus elegantulus Briq., endemic
• Plectranthus ernstii Codd, endemic
• Plectranthus fruticosus L'Her., indigenous
• Plectranthus grallatus Briq., indigenous
• Plectranthus hilliardiae Codd
  • Plectranthus hilliardiae subsp. hilliardiae, indigenous
  • Plectranthus hilliardiae subsp. australis Van Jaarsv. & A.E.van Wyk, indigenous
• Plectranthus lucidus Van Jaarsv. & T.J.Edwards, endemic
• Plectranthus malvinus Van Jaarsv. & T.J.Edwards, endemic
• Plectranthus mzimvubensis Van Jaarsv., endemic
• Plectranthus neochilus Schltr., indigenous
• Plectranthus oertendahlii T.C.E.Fr., endemic
• Plectranthus oribiensis Codd, endemic
• Plectranthus praetermissus Codd, endemic
• Plectranthus psammophilus Codd, endemic
• Plectranthus purpuratus Harv.
  • Plectranthus purpuratus subsp. purpuratus, indigenous
  • Plectranthus purpuratus subsp. montanus Van Jaarsv. & T.J.Edwards
  • Plectranthus purpuratus subsp. tongaensis Van Jaarsv. & T.J.Edwards, endemic
• Plectranthus reflexus Van Jaarsv. & T.J.Edwards, endemic
• Plectranthus rubropunctatus Codd, indigenous
• Plectranthus saccatus Benth.
  • Plectranthus saccatus var. saccatus, endemic
  • Plectranthus saccatus var. longitubus Codd, endemic
  • Plectranthus saccatus subsp. pondoensis Van Jaarsv. & Milstein, endemic
• Plectranthus strigosus Benth., indigenous
• Plectranthus stylesii T.J.Edwards, endemic
• Plectranthus swynnertonii S.Moore, indigenous
• Plectranthus verticillatus (L.f.) Druce, indigenous
• Plectranthus zuluensis T.Cooke, indigenous

Genus Premna:^[1]

• Premna mooiensis (H.Pearson) W.Piep., indigenous

Genus Prunella:^[1]

• Prunella vulgaris L., naturalised (invasive)

Genus Pseudodictamnus:^[1]

• Pseudodictamnus africanus (L.) Salmaki & Siadati, indigenous

Genus Rotheca:^[1]

• Rotheca caerulea (N.E.Br.) P.P.J.Herman & Retief, endemic
• Rotheca cuneiformis (Moldenke) P.P.J.Herman & Retief, endemic
• Rotheca hirsuta (Hochst.) R.Fern.
  • Rotheca hirsuta forma hirsuta, indigenous
  • Rotheca hirsuta forma triphylla (Harv.) Fernald, indigenous
• Rotheca louwalbertsii (P.P.J.Herman) P.P.J.Herman & Retief, indigenous
• Rotheca myricoides (Hochst.) Steane & Mabb.
  • Rotheca myricoides subsp. myricoides var. myricoides, indigenous
• Rotheca pilosa (H.Pearson) P.P.J.Herman & Retief, endemic
• Rotheca suffuticosa (Gurke) Verdc., indigenous
• Rotheca violacea (Gurke) Verdc., indigenous
• Rotheca wildii (Moldenke) R.Fern.
  • Rotheca wildii forma glabra (R.Fern.) R.Fern., indigenous

Genus Salvia:^[1]

• Salvia africana L., endemic
• Salvia albicaulis Benth., endemic
• Salvia aurea L., endemic
• Salvia aurita L.f.
  • Salvia aurita var. aurita, endemic
  • Salvia aurita var. galpinii (Skan) Hedge, indigenous
• Salvia chamelaeagnea P.J.Bergius, endemic
• Salvia coccinea Etl., naturalised
• Salvia dentata Aiton, indigenous
• Salvia disermas L., indigenous
• Salvia dolomitica Codd, endemic
• Salvia garipensis E.Mey. ex Benth. = Salvia gariepensis sensu POWO (orth. var.), indigenous
• Salvia granitica Hochst., endemic
• Salvia lanceolata Lam., indigenous
• Salvia muirii L.Bolus, endemic
• Salvia namaensis Schinz, indigenous
• Salvia obtusata Thunb., endemic
• Salvia radula Benth., indigenous
• Salvia reflexa Hornem., naturalised (invasive)
• Salvia repens Burch. ex Benth.
  • Salvia repens var. keiensis Hedge, endemic
  • Salvia repens var. repens, indigenous
  • Salvia repens var. transvaalensis Hedge, indigenous
• Salvia runcinata L.f., indigenous
• Salvia scabra L.f., endemic
• Salvia schlechteri Briq., endemic
• Salvia sclarea L., naturalised (invasive)
• Salvia stenophylla Burch. ex Benth., indigenous
• Salvia thermarum Van Jaarsv., endemic
• Salvia tiliifolia Vahl, naturalised (invasive)
• Salvia triangularis Thunb., endemic
• Salvia tysonii Skan, endemic
• Salvia verbenaca L., naturalised (invasive)

Genus Satureja:^[1]

• Satureja thymbra L., naturalised

Genus Scutellaria:^[1]

• Scutellaria racemosa Pers., naturalised (invasive)

Genus Stachys:^[1]

• Stachys aethiopica L., indigenous
• Stachys afra E.Mey. ex Benth., endemic
• Stachys albiflora N.E.Br., endemic
• Stachys arachnoidea Codd, indigenous
• Stachys arvensis L., naturalised
• Stachys aurea Benth., indigenous
• Stachys bolusii Skan, endemic
• Stachys burchelliana Launert, indigenous
• Stachys comosa Codd, endemic
• Stachys cuneata Banks ex Benth., endemic
• Stachys cymbalaria Briq., endemic
• Stachys dregeana Benth., indigenous
• Stachys erectiuscula Gurke, endemic
• Stachys flavescens Benth., endemic
• Stachys flexuosa Skan, endemic
• Stachys graciliflora C.Presl, indigenous
• Stachys grandifolia E.Mey. ex Benth., indigenous
• Stachys humifusa Burch. ex Benth., endemic
• Stachys hyssopoides Burch. ex Benth., endemic
• Stachys kuntzei Gurke, indigenous
• Stachys lallaniana R.Kr.Singh & Sanjeet Kumar, endemic
• Stachys lamarckii Benth., indigenous
• Stachys linearis Burch. ex Benth., indigenous
• Stachys natalensis Hochst.
  • Stachys natalensis var. natalensis, indigenous
  • Stachys natalensis var. galpinii (Briq.) Codd, indigenous
• Stachys nigricans Benth., indigenous
• Stachys obtusifolia MacOwan, endemic
• Stachys rehmannii Skan, endemic
• Stachys reticulata Codd, endemic
• Stachys rivularis J.M.Wood & M.S.Evans, endemic
• Stachys rudatisii Skan, endemic
• Stachys rugosa Aiton, indigenous
• Stachys scabrida Skan, endemic
• Stachys sessilifolia E.Mey. ex Benth., endemic
• Stachys sessilis Gurke, indigenous
• Stachys simplex Schltr., indigenous
• Stachys spathulata Burch. ex Benth., indigenous
• Stachys sublobata Skan, endemic
• Stachys thunbergii Benth., endemic
• Stachys tubulosa MacOwan, indigenous
• Stachys tysonii Skan, indigenous
• Stachys zeyheri Skan, endemic

Genus Syncolostemon:^[1]

• Syncolostemon albiflorus (N.E.Br.) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon argenteus N.E.Br., endemic
• Syncolostemon aurulentus Ngwenya, endemic
• Syncolostemon bolusii (N.E.Br.) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon bracteosus (Benth.) D.F.Otieno
  • Syncolostemon bracteosus var. bracteosus, indigenous
• Syncolostemon canescens (Gurke) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon cinereus (Codd) D.F.Otieno & Retief, endemic
• Syncolostemon concinnus N.E.Br., indigenous
• Syncolostemon densiflorus Benth., endemic
• Syncolostemon elliottii (Baker) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon eriocephalus I.Verd., endemic
• Syncolostemon foliosus (S.Moore) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon gerrardii (N.E.Br.) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon heterophyllus (Gurke) K.Balkwill, endemic
• Syncolostemon incanus (Codd) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon latidens (N.E.Br.) Codd, endemic
• Syncolostemon linearis (Benth.) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon macranthus (Gurke) M.Ashby, endemic
• Syncolostemon macrophyllus Gurke, endemic
• Syncolostemon modestus (Codd) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon muddii (N.E.Br.) K.Balkwill, endemic
• Syncolostemon ngwenyi K.Balkwill, endemic
• Syncolostemon obermeyerae (M.Ashby) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon parviflorus E.Mey. ex Benth.
  • Syncolostemon parviflorus var. lanceolatus (Gurke) Codd, indigenous
  • Syncolostemon parviflorus var. parviflorus, indigenous
• Syncolostemon parvifolius (Codd) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon persimilis (N.E.Br.) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon petiolatus (M.Ashby) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon pretoriae (Gurke) D.F.Otieno
  • Syncolostemon pretoriae var. longitubus K.Balkwill, endemic
• Syncolostemon punctatus (Codd) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon qudeniensis D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon ramosus (Codd) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon ramulosus E.Mey. ex Benth., endemic
• Syncolostemon rectiflorus K.Balkwill, endemic
• Syncolostemon rehmannii (Gurke) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon rotundifolius E.Mey. ex Benth., endemic
• Syncolostemon rugosifolius (M.Ashby) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon stalmansii (A.J.Paton & K.Balkwill) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon stenophyllus (Gurke) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon subvelutinus (Gurke) D.F.Otieno, endemic
• Syncolostemon teucriifolius (Hochst.) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon thorncroftii (N.E.Br.) D.F.Otieno, indigenous
• Syncolostemon transvaalensis (Schltr.) D.F.Otieno, endemic

Genus Tetradenia:^[1]

• Tetradenia bainesii (N.E.Br.) Phillipson & C.F.Steyn, indigenous
• Tetradenia barberae (N.E.Br.) Codd, endemic
• Tetradenia brevispicata (N.E.Br.) Codd, indigenous
• Tetradenia galpinii (N.E.Br.) Phillipson & C.F.Steyn, indigenous
• Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd, indigenous
• Tetradenia tuberosa T.J.Edwards, endemic

Genus Teucrium:^[1]

• Teucrium africanum Thunb., endemic
• Teucrium kraussii Codd, indigenous
• Teucrium trifidum Retz., indigenous

Genus Thorncroftia:^[1]

• Thorncroftia coddii Changwe & K.Balkwill, endemic
• Thorncroftia greenii Changwe & K.Balkwill, endemic
• Thorncroftia longiflora N.E.Br., indigenous
• Thorncroftia lotteri T.J.Edwards, endemic
• Thorncroftia media Codd, endemic
• Thorncroftia succulenta (R.A.Dyer & E.A.Bruce) Codd, endemic
• Thorncroftia thorncroftii (S.Moore) Codd, indigenous

Genus Tinnea:^[1]

• Tinnea barbata Vollesen, indigenous
• Tinnea galpinii Briq., indigenous
• Tinnea rhodesiana S.Moore, indigenous

Genus Vitex:^[1]

• Vitex ferruginea Schumach. & Thonn., indigenous
• Vitex harveyana H.Pearson, indigenous
• Vitex obovata E.Mey.
  • Vitex obovata subsp. obovata, indigenous
  • Vitex obovata subsp. wilmsii (Gurke) Bredenk. & D.J.Botha, indigenous
• Vitex patula E.A.Bruce, indigenous
• Vitex pooara Corbishley, endemic
• Vitex rehmannii Gurke, indigenous
• Vitex trifolia L., naturalised (invasive)
• Vitex zeyheri Sond., indigenous

Genus Volkameria:^[1]

• Volkameria glabra (E.Mey.) Mabb. & Y.W.Yuan, indigenous