Friday, March 25, 2011

Cat's Whiskers

Remember I took home the wrong plant a few months back? Well, this time I got the right one! The cat's whiskers (Orthosiphon Aristatus) or misai kucing as it is known locally. I just adore the pretty purple inflorescences.


The plant is not only a medicinal herb but a pretty ornamental one, found mainly throughout South East Asia and tropical Australia.

The leaves are dried and boiled like tea for drinking to treat ailments of the kidney, bladder stone, urinary tract infection, liver and bladder problems, rheumatism and gout.


the buds of Orthosiphon Aristatus campared to...


the buds of Clerodendrum Incisum which I mistakenly took home because of the similarity of their leaves








Im flaunting these pretty purple blooms showing the characteristic cat's whiskers for Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday/Flaunt Your Flowers this week.








29 comments:

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

What a wonderful plant...and it really does look like "cat's whiskers"!!! Awesome!!!
Have a beautiful weekend!!!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Great photos. I love Cats Whiskers. I have a tiny rooted cutting that I hope stays alive and thrives. My main plant croaked.

FlowerLady

BernieH said...

Love your purple variety. I see the white ones in gardens here all the time, but I haven't seen the purple very often. That's definitely one I will have to get for myself. Terrific photos.

Malay-Kadazan girl said...

Lawa bunga ungu ni. rasa macam mana agaknya air rebusan dia?

Rosie Gan said...

P3, your photography makes the misai kucing so lovely. I had some that were the white variety, but they weren't as pretty as these.
Rosie

One said...

Now you have mint tea, mulberry tea and misai kuching tea. Misai kuching is the most beautiful of them all.

kitchen flavours said...

This is one Misai Kuching which is welcome in my garden, quite unlike the four legged ones!
Beautiful colour and blooms, this plant has been on my list of herbs to add on too, but do not have the time to visit Sg. Buloh yet!

Karen said...

What an enchanting plant, and it does indeed look like cat's whiskers. How very delicate and exotic!

Giga said...

"Wąsy kota są śliczne, chętnie bym znalazła dla tego kwiatka miejsce w swoim ogródki. Pozdrawiam

Suss o Kai said...

Oh that was a nice plant :) /Suss

Olga Poltava said...

I've never seen or heard about this plant. It's very pretty and unique! Lovely photos!

Sunray Gardens said...

I haven't heard of it before so am assuming it's not hardy here. Too bad I REALLY like it.
Cher
Goldenray Yorkies

Anonymous said...

I really like this plant. It is so unusual in its form. Your macro shot made it so much more interesting.

Anonymous said...

It really does look like a cat's whiskers. If I remember correctly, the "wrong" plant turned out to be beautiful too.

HolleyGarden said...

I laughed when I saw that it really does resemble cat's whiskers! Thanks for introducing me to a plant that has a sense of humor!

Beth at PlantPostings said...

Amazing plant! It reminds me a little of the Lupine. Is it, by chance, a member of the Pea family, too?

p3chandan said...

Hi Becky, thanks for dropping in. Yes the 'whiskers' give its name!

FlowerLady, I love it too because of the pretty flowers. I havent tried growing them by cuttings yet since I bought the seedling at a nursery. Will give a try and see how it goes, thanks for the information.

Thank you Bernie. I have to get the white variety soon!

Diana, from what I heard teh misai kucing ni pahit sikit...tapi baik untuk kesihatan.

Rosie, thanks for the compliment but nothing compared to your macro photos which I love and admire! Seldom see the white ones around here but will try get one next time.

You are right One!

Joy, I know you've been having a little problems from your neighbour's cats..hehehe. Dont worry I will try to grow the cuttings, if ok will give it to you.

p3chandan said...

Karen, thats how it gets its name..because of the 'whiskers'!

Giga thank you..its pretty and something new. I guess there's always a new plant to see elsewhere in another part of the world, thanks to blogosphere!

Thank you Suss.

Thanks Olga, something new to see and learn from my garden in the tropic.

Cher, maybe its not hardy in your cold winter otherwise I think it can thrive in the sun and half shade.

Thank you Donna, but my macros are not as excellent as yours..must be my camera!

Yes Carolyn, you remembered well...the wrong plant turned out to be such a beauty too!

You are most welcome Holley...to get to know the lovely cat's whiskers!

Beth, the flower does resembles a bit like Lupine because of the long inflorescences but cat's whiskers is not a legume like Lupine and Pea.

TheGardeningBlog said...

Those really do look like Cats whiskers! Prertty amazing :)

Masha said...

I love the look of your plant! The name seems to be so appropriate. Thanks for showing me something I haven't seen before.

Anonymous said...

That is an incredibly beautiful flower. I've never seen anything like it. I'd really like to grow some!

~TastyTravels~ said...

How pretty and elegant! I've never heard of them before! Thanks for sharing!

joey said...

Perfect name ... not familiar with this handsome plant but certainly a beauty to flaunt!

p3chandan said...

Christine, thats how it gets its name!

Yes Masha, very appropriately named after the 'whiskers'.

Folk Farm, its an extraordinary plant, a herb as well as an ornamental one. It can be grown by cuttings in the sun and semi-shade.

Holly..yes it is very pretty light purple. Love to share our tropical plants with the rest of the world!

Joey...something new and unusual from the tropic to share.

Malar said...

It does really looks like cat's whiskers!
Useful plant!

p3chandan said...

The 'whiskers' give its name and the plant is both a herbal and ornamental Malar.

Miesah Sapian said...

aslmkum..singgah ya..saya pun baru beli pokok ni..nak tanam..cantik dn berkhasiat..btw.. i like ur garden ....byk info n the photos are nice..keen to have one ..still working on it..

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed this post. You write about this topic very well. There are many cherished moments in life, why not wear a beautiful dress! When looking back on special memories of your child wearing a gorgeous dress, it will make a fond memory.

aroma essential oils

Overabundant said...

They are also deer resistant and reseed every spring.

I live in northern NJ, USA. Anyone know where seeds or plants are sold in the vicinity?

Thanks
allan