Rotheca myricoides

Rotheca myricoides, commonly known as the butterfly clerodendrum, is an evergreen shrub in the family Lamiaceae prized for its masses of pale-violet, butterfly-like flowers. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in frost-free climates, with the cultivar 'Ugandense' being particularly popular and award-winning.

This species is native to mountainous regions of tropical eastern and southern Africa, ranging from Eritrea to South Africa. It naturally thrives in rocky areas, along streams, and at the edges of evergreen forests at altitudes between 900 and 1680 meters.

It is primarily valued as an ornamental shrub in landscaping and container gardening for its attractive flowers and foliage. Ecologically, the plant produces small, black, drupe-like fruits that serve to attract birds.

In traditional African medicine, various plant parts are used to manage conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, malaria, coughs, and snakebites. The Kamba people of Kenya traditionally boil the leaves for diabetes management, while the Maasai use the root bark to treat livestock illnesses.