Coleus comosus
Scaredy cat plant
Coleus comosus, commonly known as Coleus or Mayana, is a vibrant medicinal plant celebrated for its striking foliage and therapeutic properties. Widely used in traditional medicine, it possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, often utilized to treat respiratory issues, skin ailments, and digestive discomfort through its diverse bioactive compounds.
- Scientific name: Coleus comosus
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, falling within the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Coleus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Coleus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant is known by several different names depending on the language and region. In English, it is commonly referred to as the "scaredy cat plant" or simply as "Coleus caniina." In Danish, it is called Coleus Canina, while in French, it is known as "Coleus caniina." Additionally, in German, it is affectionately or descriptively named the Verpiss-dich-Pflanze.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| da | Coleus Canina | Wikidata |
| fr | "Coleus canina" | Wikidata |
| en | scaredy cat plant | Wikidata |
| en | "Coleus canina" | Wikidata |
| de | Verpiss-dich-Pflanze | Wikidata |
| de | Plectranthus caninus | Wikidata |
| de | Verpissdichpflanze | Wikidata |
| de | Plectranthus Caninus | Wikidata |
| de | Verpiss-Dich-Pflanze | Wikidata |
| de | SUMCOL 01 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the African continent, primarily concentrated in the tropical regions. In Northeast Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the territories of Eritrea and Ethiopia. Its presence extends further south into East Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Kenya. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the landscapes of Tanzania. Finally, its geographical range includes the country of Uganda, completing its regional footprint.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Coleus, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties, primarily focusing on its aerial parts. The most significant element for therapeutic use is the leaf, which contains the essential bioactive compounds required for healing. When preparing remedies, the entire collection of leaves from the upper portion of the stem is typically harvested, as these aerial parts offer the most concentrated potency for traditional applications.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |