Coleus

For the popular ornamental plant, see Coleus scutellarioides.

Coleus
Coleus amboinicus (syn. Plectranthus amboinicus)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Subfamily: Nepetoideae
Tribe: Ocimeae
Genus: Coleus
Lour. (1790)[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Anisochilus Wall. ex Benth. (1830)
  • Ascocarydion G.Taylor (1931)
  • Briquetastrum Robyns & Lebrun (1929)
  • Burnatastrum Briq. (1897)
  • Calchas P.V.Heath (1997)
  • Capitanya Schweinf. ex Gürke (1895)
  • Englerastrum Briq. (1838)
  • Holostylon Robyns & Lebrun (1929)
  • Isodictyophorus Briq. (1917)
  • Leocus A.Chev. (1909)
  • Majana Rumph. ex Kuntze (1803)
  • Mitsa Chapel. ex Benth. (1832), pro syn.
  • Neohyptis J.K.Morton (1962)
  • Neomuellera Briq. (1894)
  • Pycnostachys Hook. (1826)
  • Rabdosiella Codd (1984)
  • Saccostoma Wall. ex Voigt (1845), nom. nud.
  • Solenostemon Thonn. (1827)
  • Stiptanthus Briq. (1897)
  • Symphostemon Hiern (1900)
Cultivar of Coleus scutellarioides

Coleus (/ˈkoʊliəs/, KOH-lee-əs) is a genus of annual or perennial herbs or shrubs, sometimes succulent, sometimes with a fleshy or tuberous rootstock, found in the Afro-Eurasia tropics and subtropics.

The relationship among the genera Coleus, Solenostemon and Plectranthus has been confused. Coleus and Solenostemon were sunk into Plectranthus, but recent phylogenetic analysis found Plectranthus to be paraphyletic with respect to other related genera in the subtribe Plectranthinae. The most recent taxonomic treatment of the genus resurrected Coleus, and 212 names were changed from combinations in Plectranthus, Pycnostachys and Anisochilus. Equilabium was segregated from Plectranthus, after phylogenetic studies supported its recognition as a phylogenetically distinct genus.[2] Common names for Coleus include spurflower, flybush, hedgehog flower and hullwort.[citation needed]

Coleus are cultivated as ornamental plants, particularly Coleus scutellarioides (syns. Coleus blumei, Plectranthus scutellarioides), which is popular as a garden plant for its brightly colored foliage.

Other species that produce root tubers are cultivated for food, including Coleus esculentus, Coleus rotundifolius and Coleus maculosus subsp. edulis.

  1. ^ a b "Coleus Lour". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  2. ^ Paton, Alan J.; Mwanyambo, Montfort; Govaerts, Rafaël H.A.; Smitha, Kokkaraniyil; Suddee, Somran; Phillipson, Peter B.; Wilson, Trevor C.; Forster, Paul I. & Culham, Alastair (2019). "Nomenclatural changes in Coleus and Plectranthus (Lamiaceae): a tale of more than two genera". PhytoKeys (129): 1–158. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.129.34988. PMC 6717120. PMID 31523157.