Blue Coleus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Blue Coleus
• Fly bush
• Lobster bush
• Lobster flower
• Mosquito Spurflower
• Mosquito bush
• Smelly Spurflower
• Tallspire Hullwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plectranthus neochilus
• Coleus palliolatus
• Coleus schinzii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Coleus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found across several distinct regions within the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Moving into the Southern Africa region, it can also be located within Botswana. Additionally, its distribution extends to the Cape Provinces. These locations highlight the specific geographical range inhabited by Coleus neochilus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coleus neochilus is defined by its broad adaptability to varying topographical gradients, allowing it to inhabit a wide vertical distribution across its natural landscape. This species thrives across a significant altitudinal span, ranging from lowland environments at an elevation of 15 m AMSL to more montane or upland regions reaching up to a maximum of 1800 m AMSL. This expansive elevational range suggests that the plant can tolerate a diverse array of microclimates, varying temperature regimes, and moisture levels typically found between sea level and mid-elevation subtropical or tropical zones. Such ecological plasticity enables it to occupy diverse niches within its habitat, spanning from humid, low-lying areas to cooler, higher-altitude terrains.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Coleus neochilus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural organization, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, typically just above the ground level. This specific life form categorization applies to both its general biological classification and its specific structural adaptation, ensuring its survival and ability to regenerate within its ecological niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Coleus neochilus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically presenting as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and is categorized as a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte or an aquatic plant, though it can inhabit semiaquatic environments. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a minimum plant height of approximately 0.11 m and a maximum height reaching up to 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.11 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Coleus neochilus 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 notably indehiscent, meaning it does not spontaneously split open at maturity to release its contents, instead relying on external factors or decay to facilitate the release of the seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit type :

nut

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Coleus neochilus has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. Biomolecules

Antioxidant

1. Biomolecules

Cytotoxic

1. Biomolecules

Preparations

Coleus neochilus has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extracts, methanol extracts.

Ethanol extracts

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Methanol extracts

1. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias