Patchouli
Family Labiatae (or Lamiaceae)
Pogestemon patchouli (= Pogestemon cablin), patchouli (P. patchouli 1), is a small shrub, up to 1 m tall, with stalked, opposite dentate leaves that rarely flowers and is propagated by stem cuttings.
Distribution and use
Patchouli is a native of the Philippines.
It is grown for its essential oil, which is extracted from the dried shoots. This oil is used in heavy perfumes, soap, hair tonic and tobacco.
It is cultivated in Sumatra, the Seychelles, Madagascar and Brazil.