Syn.: Adhatoda schimperiana (Hochst.) Hochst. ex Nees, Gendarussa schimperiana Hochst.
Family: Acanthaceae Juss.
Distribution: Eastern Africa – this species is known from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Kenya.
Ecology: Moist montane forests and shrubs, often along streams, occasionally margins of coffee plantations, waste ground and villages.
Description: Much branched shrub 2–3 m tall; stem pubescent with appressed and ascending hairs. Leaves opposite, blade ovate, 15–24 cm long and 8–12 cm wide, mostly pubescent along veins, cuneate at the base, entire, apices acuminate; petiole 1–4 cm long. Inflorescence a terminal spike 8–13 cm long, with opposite bracts at each node; bracts ovate, 1–1,8 cm long, pale green to whitish with dark green veins; calyx 8–9 mm long; corolla 2-lipped, about 2,5 cm long, white, often with purple spots, lower lip 3-lobed; stamens 2, staminodia absent; pistil from 2 carpels, ovary superior, 2-celled, with 2 ovules in each cell. Capsule 4-seeded, 1,9–2,2 cm long, hairy.
These images were taken in Ethiopia, Gondar; Simien Mountains, Ady Arkay (October 27 and November 3, 2013).
