Plectranthus
Plectranthus, commonly known as Coleus in many botanical circles, is a versatile genus of flowering plants celebrated for its striking foliage. Beyond its ornamental beauty, various species hold significant traditional medicinal value, utilized in diverse cultures for their purported healing properties, ranging from skin treatments to soothing digestive ailments.
- Scientific name: Plectranthus
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Plectranthus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Plectranthus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Plectranthus, is referred to by various names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is identified as 延命草属 (zh-hans), 香茶屬 (zh-hant), and 香茶屬 (zh-hk). In German, it is commonly called Harfensträucher, while in Russian, it is known as Шпороцветник.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 延命草属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 香茶屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 香茶屬 | Wikidata |
| de | Harfensträucher | Wikidata |
| ru | Шпороцветник | Wikidata |
| zh | 延命草属 | Wikidata |
| pl | Plektrantus | Wikidata |
| sv | Novemberljussläktet | Wikidata |
| cs | moud | Wikidata |
| fi | liisukat | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several continents and distinct climatic zones. In Middle Europe, its presence can be recorded specifically in Germany. Its range extends to the Macaronesian islands, where it is found in Madeira. Within West-Central Tropical Africa, the species inhabits regions such as Cameroon and the DR Congo. Finally, its distribution reaches Northeast Tropical Africa, specifically within Ethiopia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
Activities
Plectranthus has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Plectranthus has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include abdominal pain, abscess, asthma, bronchitis, chest pain.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| abdominal pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abscess | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chest pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heartburn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |