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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.
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 Paraphyly 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. Common names for Coleus include spurflower, flybush, hedgehog flower and hullwort.
Coleus are cultivated as , 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.
A preliminary study of the tribe Ocimeae in 2004 showed that the subtribe Plectranthinae was Monophyly, with two main clades: one containing the type species of Coleus and including Solenostemon, the other containing the type species of Plectranthus along with some other genera, so that Plectranthus when broadly defined was not monophyletic. A more detailed study in 2018 reached similar conclusions, and suggested that Coleus (including Solenostemon) should be recognized again, Plectranthus more narrowly defined, and a new genus, Equilabium erected for a clade of former Plectranthus species mainly from tropical Africa. The many new binomial combinations needed to implement this approach were provided in 2019.
Phylogeny
Paton et al. in 2019 published a summary cladogram for the subtribe Plectranthinae, based on a study in 2018.
In the version below, the three genera accepted by Paton et al. that formed part of Plectranthus Sensu are highlighted.
Species
Paton et al. (2019) listed 294 species of Coleus, many transferred from Plectranthus. , Plants of the World Online lists 302. Species include:
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