Phlomis purpurea L.

Sponsor this page

For information about how you could sponsor this page, see How You Can Help

Credits

New article for Trees and Shrubs Online.

Recommended citation
'Phlomis purpurea' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/phlomis/phlomis-purpurea/). Accessed 2026-10-14.

Family

Lamiaceae

Genus

Phlomis

Other taxa in genus

Glossary

References

There are no active references in this article.

Credits

New article for Trees and Shrubs Online.

Recommended citation
'Phlomis purpurea' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/phlomis/phlomis-purpurea/). Accessed 2026-10-14.

Pink whorled inflorescences of Phlomis purpurea AHAL 77 (Kew, May 2025). Image John Grimshaw.

This species is closely allied to P. italica, but the floral bracts are broader, acuminate at the apex, and the teeth of the calyx sharply pointed. Also, the leaves are rather thinly coated with hairs on the upper surface. Native of S. Portugal and of southern and central Spain, common in the Ronda region. Bot. Mag., n.s., t. 518.

Introduced in the 17th century. Rather tender. In the wild it grows to a height of 3 or 4 ft, but in cultivation is usually of sprawling habit.

Phlomis purpurea can sprawl, but may stand up as a reasonably sturdy shrub, depending on soil conditions. AHAL 77 at Kew, May 2025. Image John Grimshaw.

Contact the editors through the Contact page.

A site produced by the International Dendrology Society,
a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales number 1178252.

For copyright and licence information see the Licence page. For a privacy statement see our Privacy Policy.