Flame nettle, Painted leaves, Painted nettle, Butterfly coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
Family: Lamiaceae
What it is like
A herb up to 50 cm high and covered with hairs. It spreads to 30 cm across. The stems and branches are square. They are usually purple. The leaves are opposite. The leaf stalks are 1-4 cm long. The leaves are 3-7 cm long by 1.5-5 cm wide. They are oval or sword shaped. The edges of the leaves are toothed. The leaves have a smell when crushed. The leaves can be dark red, purple, or green and hairy. The flower clusters are erect and at the end of the shoots. The flowers are 5 mm long. They are purple or bluish. The nutlets are brown and broadly oval. They are 1-1.2 mm long. They are shiny.
It is widely grown for its ornamental leaves.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical places. It can grow from the lowlands to the mountains. It can be in rainforest and along shaded stream banks. It grows up to 2,900 m above sea level. It often grows near water, such as the edges of swamps or streams. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Marquesas, New Caledonia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten mainly as a seasoning. They are eaten with bread and butter. The tubers are eaten. Caution: It is considered to induce abortions. The fresh leaves when chewed may cause mind altering effects.
It is occasionally harvested from the wild.
Edible parts
Leaves, tubers, root
How it is grown
It grows readily from cuttings. It also grows wild from seed. Seeds germinate easily.
Its other names
Local names
Ati-ati, Buiara, Coleus, Iler, Jacob's coat. Jawer kotok, Mayana, Miana, Oloveti, Pate, Patiale, Rue-sii-phasomlaeo, Sayabana, Tia to canh, Wu cai su
Synonyms
Calchas acuminatus (Benth.) P. V. Heath; Calchas atropurpureus (Benth.) P. V. Heath; Calchas crispipilus (Merr.) P. V. Heath; Calchas scutellarioides (L.) P. V. Heath; Coleus acuminatus Benth.; Coleus atropurpureus Benth.; Coleus blancoi Benth.; Coleus blumei Benth.; Coleus crispipilus (Merr.) Merr.; Coleus formosanus Hayata; Coleus gaudichaudii Briq.; Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth.; Ocimum scutellarioides (L.) R. Br.; Plectranthus blumei Launert; Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd; and several others