Solenostemon is a former genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. It has been included in the genus Plectranthus, but is now included in an expanded Coleus. They are native to tropical Africa, Asia and Australia. Some species formerly placed in this genus are cultivated for their highly variegated leaves.
Coleus amboinicus, synonym Plectranthus amboinicus, is a semi-succulent perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae with a pungent oregano-like flavor and odor. Coleus amboinicus is considered to be native to parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India, although it is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in the tropics where it is used as a spice and ornamental plant. Common names in English include Indian borage, country borage, French thyme, Indian mint, Mexican mint, Cuban oregano, soup mint, Spanish thyme. The species epithet, amboinicus refers to Ambon Island, in Indonesia, where it was apparently encountered and described by João de Loureiro (1717–1791).
Coleus rotundifolius, synonyms Plectranthus rotundifolius and Solenostemon rotundifolius, commonly known as native potato or country potato in Africa and called Chinese potato in India, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to tropical Africa. It is cultivated for its edible tubers primarily in West Africa, as well as more recently in parts of Asia, especially India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Plectranthus is a genus of about 85 species of flowering plants from the sage family, Lamiaceae, found mostly in southern and tropical Africa and Madagascar. Common names include spur-flower. Plectranthus species are herbaceous perennial plants, rarely annuals or soft-wooded shrubs, sometimes succulent; sometimes with a tuberous base.
Coleus esculentus, synonym Plectranthus esculentus, also known as the kaffir potato or Livingstone potato, is a species of plant in the dicot family Lamiaceae. It is indigenous to Africa, where it is grown for its edible tubers. It is more difficult to cultivate than Coleus rotundifolius, but able to give greater yields. Although the crop is similar to a potato, it is from the mint family, but it is still quite nutritious and useful. This crop can benefit many subsistence farmers since it is native, easy to grow, enjoying growing popularity in the market, and quite nutritious.
Coleus barbatus, also known by the synonyms Plectranthus barbatus and incorrectly Coleus forskalaei, is a tropical perennial plant related to the typical coleus species. It produces forskolin, an extract useful for pharmaceutical preparations and research in cell biology.
Coleus caninus, synonym Plectranthus caninus, is a herb from the mint family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Africa from Angola to Sudan and to India and Myanmar.
Coleus argentatus, synonym Plectranthus argentatus, common name silver spurflower, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family. It is native to rock outcrops and rainforest in the border region of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Growing to 1 m (3 ft) tall and broad, it is a spreading deciduous shrub. The hairy leaves are ovate to broad-ovate, 5–11.5 cm long, 3–5.5 cm wide with crenate margins. The hairs give the plant an overall sage green to silvery colour. The flowers are borne on terminal racemes up to 30 cm (12 in) long, and are bluish white.
Coleus scutellarioides, commonly known as coleus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to southeast Asia through to Australia. Typically growing to 60–75 cm (24–30 in) tall and wide, it is a bushy, woody-based evergreen perennial, widely grown for the highly decorative variegated leaves found in cultivated varieties. Another common name is painted nettle, reflecting its relationship to deadnettles, which are in the same family. The synonyms Coleus blumei, Plectranthus scutellarioides and Solenostemon scutellarioides are also widely used for this species.
Coleus cataractarum, synonym Plectranthus cataractarum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is found in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers, near waterfalls. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Coleus dissitiflorus, synonym Plectranthus dissitiflorus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is found only in Cameroon. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. C. dissitiflorus is threatened by habitat loss.
Coleus socotranus, synonym Plectranthus socotranus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae.
Coleus unguentarius, synonym Plectranthus unguentarius, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is found only in Namibia. Its natural habitat is rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Coleus graveolens, synonym Plectranthus graveolens, is a shrub in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.
Coleus maculosus subsp. edulis, synonym Plectranthus edulis, the Ethiopian potato, known as wolayta dinich or oromo dinich in Amharic, is a species of perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is indigenous to Ethiopia, where it is grown for its edible tubers. The tubers are cooked before they are eaten.
Coleus australis, synonyms Plectranthus australis and Plectranthus parviflorus, known as little spurflower or cockspur flower, is a shrub, occurring in Hawaii, Polynesia and Australia. Non aromatic, between 10 and 70 cm high. The habitat is shady moist areas, including eucalyptus forest and rainforest. A widespread species, in rocky areas and beside streams. Attractive blue and white flowers may occur throughout the year.
Coleus 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.
Coleus fredericii, synonym Plectranthus welwitschii, is a species of plant in the family Lamiaceae. The epithet is also spelt frederici.
Coleus maculosus is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is widespread in tropical Africa and Madagascar.
Coleus comosus, synonym Plectranthus ornatus, is a flowering plant from the mint family Lamiaceae, native to eastern Africa.
