coleus

coleus Definition

co·leus (kō′lē əs)

noun

any of a genus (Coleus) of plants of the mint family, native to Africa and the East Indies, grown for their bright-colored leaves

Etymology: ModL < Gr koleos, a sheath: so named because of the way in which the stamens are joined

coleus Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

blumei: Coleus blumei This species and its cultivars are the most widely available of the Solenostemon genus in the UK.
forskohlii: Don't even begin to confuse this material with an herbal extract of Coleus forskohlii!
plant: The leaves of the coleus plant are glorious shades of reddish pink year-round.
canina: There is also an annual plant called Coleus canina that smells pretty foul but only when the cat rubs against it.
cultivar: Reports in the dermatological literature incriminating an unspecified Coleus will usually be referring to a Coleus blumei cultivar.

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