Botany - Patchouli

Scientific name Pogostemon cablin
Appearance Tropical perennial herbaceous plant, with thick stems, broad and fuzzy opposite leaves edged with rounded teeth, and small whitish or violet flowers in spikes
Smell Powerful, earthy, woody, with moist and slightly camphoraceous notes
Color Dark green (leaves), white to pale mauve (flowers)
Used parts Dried or fermented leaves (notably for essential oil extraction)
Origins Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, India)
Toxicity level Weak (well tolerated for external use, not recommended pure on the skin or for ingestion)