In the Garden in October - I wonder if they are edible?

Plant of the month October 2016

Colquhounia coccinea (Himalayan mint)
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: SW China, E Malaysia
Accession: 1994
Location: Asian Plants

 



















Colquhounia is a genus of five species of evergreen shrubs. C. coccinea has large, downy, aromatic leaves, finely toothed and borne in opposite pairs on square stems, and can reach up to 3m in height. The tubular flowers are two-lipped, deep orange in colour and are carried on terminal spikes in late summer. It was first described in 1822 by the Dutch botanist Nathaniel Wallich who worked for the East India Company, and was involved in the early development of the Calcutta Botanical Garden. It was named after Sir Robert Colquhoun, a soldier and plant collector.