Coleus forskohlii

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can be erect or curve up at the tips. The stems are robust. They are about 40 cm high. They are branched. The leaf stalk is about 1.5 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 7.5-13 cm long by 4.5-7 cm wide. They can be densely covered with a fine hair layer. The edges can be irregular. The flowering stalks are 11 cm long with 6 flowers in a ring. The flowers are purple-blue. The nutlets are round but flattened.

There are between 90 and 150 Coleus species. Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq. is an accepted name and Coleus forskohlii (Poir) Briq.is a synonym of Plectranthus barbatus var. barbatus

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It occurs in high altitude locations about 2300 m altitude. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bhutan, China, East Africa (country/location of origin), Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Nepal, SE Asia, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The roots are boiled and eaten. They are used like potatoes. They are also pickled.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Koorkan kizhangu, Mao hou qiao rui hua, Pashanabhedi

Synonyms

Coleus barbatus (Andrews) Benth.; Coleus tuberosus Benth.; Plectranthus forskohlii Willd.; Plectranthus barbatus Andrews;