Nomenclatural changes in Coleus and Plectranthus (Lamiaceae): a tale of more than two genera

PhytoKeys. 2019 Aug 23:129:1-158. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.129.34988. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

A synopsis of the genera Coleus Lour, Equilabium A.J.Paton, Mwany. & Culham and Plectranthus L'Hér. (Lamiaceae, Tribe Ocimeae, Subtribe Plecranthinae) is presented. Generic delimitation follows a recently published molecular phylogeny which identified Coleus as the sister of the remaining genera of Subtribe Plectranthinae; Plectranthus as sister to Tetradenia Benth. and Thorncroftia N.E.Br., and a separate phylogenetically distinct genus Equilabium comprising species previously placed in Plectranthus. In this treatment, 294 species of Coleus, 42 of Equilabium, and 72 of Plectranthus are recognized. All but one of the combinations in Equilabium are new as only the genus and type species have been previously published. Two-hundred and twelve names are changed to combinations in Coleus from Plectranthus, Pycnostachys Hook. and Anisochilus Benth.

Keywords: Anisochilus; Equilabium; Plectranthinae; Pycnostachys; Solenostemon; Ocimeae; generic delimitation; nomenclature.

Grants and funding

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SADC Biodiversity Support Programme