Orthosiphon aristatus: info from PIER (PIER species info)

Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

Orthosiphon aristatus
(Blume) Miq., Lamiaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands? yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations? no

Other Latin names: Clerodendranthus spicatus (Thunb.) C. Y. Wu ex H. W. Li; Clerodendrum spicatum Thunb.; Ocimum aristatum Blume; Orthosiphon stamineus Benth.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: shen cha

English: Java tea, cat's whiskers, kidney tea

Fijian: kumi ni pusi

French: thé de Java

Malayan: pokok misai kucing

Palauan: emadecharebub

Pohnpeian: alisen-kaht, elisiniket

Samoan: ‘ava pusi

Tongan: kava ‘i pusi

Habit: herb

Description:

Note: Apparently Orthosiphon is being promoted as an herbal remedy for weight loss. This species is known to be a diuretic and can thus result in temporary weight loss through the loss of water. I have been unable to locate reliable information regarding any effect on fat. Be aware that herbal remedies can be promoted with virtually no scientific evidence as to their efficacy or side effects. It's strictly buyer beware!

"[S]lender perennial herb to 2 m high, the branchlets 4-angled, sparsely puberulent to glabrescent, sometimes purplish; leaves petiolate, the petioles 1-2 (-4.5) cm long, puberulent, the blades lanceolate to ovate or rhombic, 2-9 x 1-5 cm, chartaceous to membranaceous, cuneate at base, acute to acuminate at apex, coarsely serrate at margin (especially above middle of blade), glabrous to puberulent on both surfaces; racemes 10-15 (-20) cm long, the verticils lax, distant, the bracts sessile, ovate, 1-2 mm long, ciliolate, the pedicels to 4 mm long; calyx curved-campanulate, the tube to 3 mm long at anthesis, 10-nerved, scabridulous on nerves, the upper lip ovate, to 3 x 2.5 mm, the lower lip longer, the median lobes acuminate-aristate; corolla white or pale blue, 10-16 (-20) mm long, the tube 10-15 mm long, straight, strigose-tomentose without, the upper lip shallowly 4-lobed, recurved, the lower lip as long as upper lip, concave; stamens glabrous, coiled in bud, the anthers purple; style 5-6 cm long, glabrous, clavate and briefly 2-lobee at apex, white, purplish distally; nutlets ovoid-oblong, to 2 mm long, glabrous, rugose" (Smith, 1991; pp. 227-228).

Habitat/ecology: Naturalizes along roadsides, in stream bottoms and wet places. Often a cultivated plant. In Fiji, "cultivated in villages and gardens at elevations up to about 200 m, and sometimes naturalized along roadsides" (Smith, 1991; pp. 227-228).

Propagation: Seed

Native range: India through southeastern Asia and the Nicobars and throughout Malesia to Australia (Smith, 1991; pp. 227-228).

Presence:

Pacific

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands Aitutaki Atoll cultivated
McCormack, Gerald (2013)

Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands ‘Atiu Island cultivated
McCormack, Gerald (2013)

Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands Mangaia Island cultivated
McCormack, Gerald (2013)

Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands Rarotonga Island cultivated
McCormack, Gerald (2013)

Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands Rarotonga Island introduced
cultivated
Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. Field notes.)

Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands Fefan Island introduced
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 28)

Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island Kosrae Island introduced
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 28)

Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island Kosrae Island introduced
invasive
Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 18)
Voucher cited: Lorence 7887 (PTBG)
Naturalized

Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island Kosrae Island introduced
invasive
Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 63)

Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands Pohnpei Island introduced
Glassman, S. F. (1952) (p. 105)
Voucher cited: Glassman 2903 (US), Takamatsu 791 (BISH)

Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands Pohnpei Island introduced
invasive
cultivated
Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 101)
Vouchers cited: E. Albert 51 (NY, PTBG), F.R. Fosberg 26337 (BISH, PTBG), S.F. Glassman 2455 (BISH), S.F. Glassman 2903 (BISH), E.Y. Hosaka 3522 (BISH), S. Perlman 21464 (PTBG), M. Tamakatsu 791 (BISH)
Naturalized

Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands Pohnpei Island National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 46198)
Taxon name on voucher: Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq.

Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands Pohnpei Island National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1946) (voucher ID: PTBG 23372)
Taxon name on voucher: Orthosiphon aristatus

Fiji
Fiji Islands Vanua Levu Island introduced
invasive
cultivated
Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 227-228)
Voucher cited: DA 16956

Fiji
Fiji Islands Viti Levu Island introduced
invasive
cultivated
Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 227-228)
Vouchers cited: DA 12126, Smith 7233, DA 16469

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Hawai‘i (Big) Island Flynn, Tim (year unknown)

New Caledonia
New Caledonia Archipelago Île Grande Terre introduced
cultivated
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 69)
Voucher cited: MacKee 36622

Niue
Niue Niue Island introduced
Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 104)
Uncommon. Voucher cited: CHR 169934

Niue
Niue Niue Island introduced
Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 20)

Niue
Niue Niue Island introduced
cultivated
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 44)

Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) Babeldaob Island introduced
cultivated
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 102)

Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) Koror (Oreor) Island introduced
cultivated
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 98)

Papua New Guinea
Bismarck Archipelago Bismarck Archipelago Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 491)
Abundant, at scrub-edges, in open places, under coconuts, etc.

Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island) Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Philippines
Philippine Islands Philippine Islands native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Philippines
Philippine Islands Philippine Islands Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 422)
In thickets at low and medium altitudes, not common.

Samoa
Western Samoa Islands Savai‘i Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. Field notes.)
Voucher: Flynn 6950 (PTBG, US, SAMOA)

Samoa
Western Samoa Islands Savai‘i Island National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2002) (voucher ID: PTBG 280)
Taxon name on voucher: Orthosiphon aristatus

Samoa
Western Samoa Islands Upolu Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. Field notes.)

Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands introduced
cultivated
Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 95)

Tonga
Tongatapu Group Tongatapu Island Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 20)

Pacific Rim

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

Australia
Australia (continental) Queensland native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Cambodia
Cambodia Cambodia (Kingdom of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

China
China China (People's Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Indonesia
Indonesia Indonesia (Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Malaysia
Malaysia Malaysia (country of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Singapore
Singapore Singapore (Republic of) introduced
cultivated
Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 65)
Cultivated only

Taiwan
Taiwan Island Taiwan Island native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Thailand
Thailand Thailand (Kingdom of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Vietnam
Vietnam Vietnam (Socialist Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Comments: Somewhat invasive along wet streambanks on Kosrae.

Control: If you know of control methods for Orthosiphon aristatus, please let us know.

Need more info? Have questions? Comments? Information to contribute? Contact PIER! (pier@hear.org)

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This page was created on 1 JAN 1999 and was last updated on 4 APR 2011.

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. Field notes.)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Fefan Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 28)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 28)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 18) Voucher cited: Lorence 7887 (PTBG) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 63)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Glassman, S. F. (1952) (p. 105) Voucher cited: Glassman 2903 (US), Takamatsu 791 (BISH)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 101) Vouchers cited: E. Albert 51 (NY, PTBG), F.R. Fosberg 26337 (BISH, PTBG), S.F. Glassman 2455 (BISH), S.F. Glassman 2903 (BISH), E.Y. Hosaka 3522 (BISH), S. Perlman 21464 (PTBG), M. Tamakatsu 791 (BISH) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 46198) Taxon name on voucher: Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1946) (voucher ID: PTBG 23372) Taxon name on voucher: Orthosiphon aristatus
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 227-228) Voucher cited: DA 16956
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 227-228) Vouchers cited: DA 12126, Smith 7233, DA 16469
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island		Flynn, Tim (year unknown)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 69) Voucher cited: MacKee 36622
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 104) Uncommon. Voucher cited: CHR 169934
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced	Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 20)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 44)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 102)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 98)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago		Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 491) Abundant, at scrub-edges, in open places, under coconuts, etc.
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands		Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 422) In thickets at low and medium altitudes, not common.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. Field notes.) Voucher: Flynn 6950 (PTBG, US, SAMOA)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2002) (voucher ID: PTBG 280) Taxon name on voucher: Orthosiphon aristatus
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. Field notes.)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced cultivated	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 95)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 20)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 65) Cultivated only
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)