Colebrookea oppositifolia is an evergreen, densely woolly shrub or small tree belonging to the Lamiaceae family. It typically grows between 1.2 and 4.5 meters tall and is characterized by its tomentose (densely hairy) stems and leaves. The leaves are elliptic, acuminate, and arranged oppositely or sometimes in whorls of three, reaching up to 20 cm in length. The plant produces minute, white flowers that are densely packed in long, cylindrical, erect spikes, which form panicles at the ends of branches. The calyx becomes elongated and feathery in fruit, often displaying purple tips.
This species is easily recognized by its woolly appearance and the dense covering of hairs on its stems and foliage. The plant’s structure is adapted to subtropical and hilly environments, and it is often found forming thickets or as an understory shrub. Its robust root system and adaptability to various forest types make it a common component of the lower Himalayan and peninsular Indian flora.
Habitat
Colebrookea oppositifolia is native to South and Southeast Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and southern China (Yunnan). It thrives in subtropical hilly regions, especially in semi-evergreen and evergreen forests, forest edges, and open slopes at lower to mid-elevations, ascending up to about 1,400 meters.
Planting and Care
- Light: Prefers bright, filtered sunlight but can tolerate partial shade.
- Soil: Grows best in well-drained, fertile soils; adaptable to a range of soil types found in hilly and forested regions.
- Watering: Requires moderate watering; avoid waterlogging as it prefers moist but well-drained conditions.
- Pruning: Occasional pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages bushier growth.
- Propagation: Propagated by seeds or stem cuttings; ensure good soil contact and moisture for successful establishment.
- Maintenance: Generally low-maintenance once established; monitor for pests and diseases typical to forest shrubs.
Additional Information
- Ornamental Use: Valued for its dense, woolly foliage and distinctive flowering spikes, making it suitable for naturalistic and woodland gardens.
- Medicinal Properties: Widely used in traditional medicine for treating epilepsy, fever, headache, urinary problems, traumatic injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, and gastric issues. The plant exhibits antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory activities, attributed to its rich content of polyphenols, flavonoids (such as quercetin and chrysin), and phenylethanoid glycosides like acteoside.
- Phytochemistry: Contains alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenoids, tannins, and other bioactive compounds with demonstrated therapeutic potential.
- Ecological Role: Commonly found as an understory shrub in hilly forests, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological stability of these regions.
- Distribution in India: Found in the Western and Eastern Ghats, lower Himalayas, and across several states including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
