scaredy cat plant

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plectranthus ornatus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coleus comosus is primarily characterized by its preference for lowland environments, where it thrives in regions typically defined by lower elevations and warmer, more stable thermal regimes. Within these lowland habitats, the species occupies niches that provide consistent moisture and moderate to high humidity, often found in the understory or along the fringes of forested areas where light is filtered. The plant is adapted to the soil compositions typical of these lowlands, often favoring nutrient-rich, well-draining organic matter that supports its vigorous vegetative growth. Its distribution and survival are closely tied to the availability of water and the specific microclimates found in these low-lying regions, allowing it to compete effectively within its ecological community.

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Coleus comosus is characterized by its classification as a perennial, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth strategy and survival mechanism, the plant functions as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennous buds are located close to the soil surface, protected by ground litter or organic matter during unfavorable conditions. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a low-growing life form enables the species to establish stable populations that can withstand seasonal environmental shifts.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Coleus comosus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as both a herb and a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, lacking any climbing or parasitic tendencies, and maintains an independent lifestyle. It is a terrestrial organism, existing neither as an epiphyte nor as an aquatic or semiaquatic plant. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a mean plant height of 0.4 m, reaching a maximum height of approximately 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Coleus comosus are closely linked to its vegetative morphology, particularly regarding its photosynthetic surface area and leaf dimensions. The plant exhibits a highly consistent leaf width, maintaining a uniform measurement of 3.5 cm, as evidenced by the identical mean, minimum, and maximum values of 3.5 cm. This stability in width suggests a highly regulated developmental process during leaf expansion. In terms of longitudinal growth, the leaf length shows more variability, reaching a maximum capacity of 4.5 cm. This combination of a consistent 3.5 cm width and a variable length up to 4.5 cm dictates the specific aspect ratio of the foliage, which plays a critical role in the plant's light interception efficiency and gas exchange capabilities.

Leaf length max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Coleus comosus is characterized by the development of a specific fruit type classified as a nut, which serves as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. This fruit is specifically indehiscent, meaning it does not spontaneously split open at maturity to release its contents, instead relying on external factors or the decay of the fruit wall for the seeds to be liberated.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit type :

nut

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Coleus comosus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Coleus comosus has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Caryophyllene, CALCIUM OXALATE, Caryophyllene oxide, Oct-1-en-3-ol, Tannins.

(E)-Caryophyllene

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CALCIUM OXALATE

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Caryophyllene oxide

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Oct-1-en-3-ol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenes

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Coleus comosus has 4 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aerial parts essential oil, essential oil, herbal decoction, hexane extract of the aerial parts.

Aerial parts essential oil

1. Natural product research

Essential oil

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Herbal decoction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hexane extract of the aerial parts

1. Journal of natural products