Tropical Giant Salvia (Brillantaisia lamium) (Nees, 1849)

 

Synonyms: Brillantaisia eminii, Brillantaisia palisotii, Brillantaisia subcordata, Leucorhaphis lamium, brillantaisia

 

 

Brillantaisia lamium is native to tropical Africa from Liberia to Uganda, and south to Angola (IUCN). It was introduced to eastern Australia, southeastern Brazil, and Jamaica, as an ornamental, but became an invasive weed. In its native range, this species occurs in savannas, wetlands, edges and gaps in tropical forests, along roads, and in other disturbed sites; sea level to 1,600 m. It is a coarse, branched herb, 20-200 cm in height; the stem is hirsute; the leaves are pubescent, ovate or cordate, and arranged oppositely. The two-lipped flowers are violet or purple. Flowering occurs year round. The fruit is an elongated capsule. This species reproduces by seed and stem fragments, e.g., when dispersed by water.

 

		D35778 Tropical Giant Salvia (Brillantaisia lamium)* Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D35771 Tropical Giant Salvia (Brillantaisia lamium)* Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D35777 Tropical Giant Salvia (Brillantaisia lamium)* Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
* photographed outside of its native range
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