Coleus amboinicus
Dublin Core
Title
Coleus amboinicus
Subject
Taxonomy
Common name
Mexican mint, Spanish Thyme, Cuban Oregano
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class:Magnoliopsida
Order:Lamiales
Family:Lamiaceae
Genus:Coleus
Species: C. amboinicusCommon name
Mexican mint, Spanish Thyme, Cuban Oregano
Description
Characteristic
Coleus amboinicus is a semi-succulent perennial plant that belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae. The plant can grow up to 1m tall and has strongly flavored and serrated leaves. It has a pungent oregano-like flavor and odor and is commonly used as a spice and substitute for oregano
Morphology
Coleus amboinicus, also known as Indian borage or Cuban oregano, is a semi-succulent perennial plant. It has strongly and pleasantly aromatic, fleshy, serrated leaves and small mauve, two-lipped flowers that bloom in summer and autumn. The flowers are insignificant, and the plant does not produce seeds like other plants in the mint family. The leaves of the plant are woody.
Medicinal uses
Have the ability to improve the health of your skin, detoxify the body, defend against colds, ease the pain of arthritis, relieve stress and anxiety, treat certain kinds of cancer, and optimize digestion. The leaves have a good flavour and are usually used to mask the intense odours and tastes of fish, mutton, and goat. Besides, the leaves are used as a decorative herb.
Distribution
C. amboinicus is native from southern and eastern parts of Africa, India and SE Asia.
IUCN Category List
Not Specified
Coleus amboinicus is a semi-succulent perennial plant that belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae. The plant can grow up to 1m tall and has strongly flavored and serrated leaves. It has a pungent oregano-like flavor and odor and is commonly used as a spice and substitute for oregano
Morphology
Coleus amboinicus, also known as Indian borage or Cuban oregano, is a semi-succulent perennial plant. It has strongly and pleasantly aromatic, fleshy, serrated leaves and small mauve, two-lipped flowers that bloom in summer and autumn. The flowers are insignificant, and the plant does not produce seeds like other plants in the mint family. The leaves of the plant are woody.
Medicinal uses
Have the ability to improve the health of your skin, detoxify the body, defend against colds, ease the pain of arthritis, relieve stress and anxiety, treat certain kinds of cancer, and optimize digestion. The leaves have a good flavour and are usually used to mask the intense odours and tastes of fish, mutton, and goat. Besides, the leaves are used as a decorative herb.
Distribution
C. amboinicus is native from southern and eastern parts of Africa, India and SE Asia.
IUCN Category List
Not Specified
Source
Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. in GBIF Secretariat (2022). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-05-04.
Date
3 May 2023
Contributor
Aiman Aizat Bin Mohd Naziran
BIDARA UTHM Item Type Metadata
Species
C. amboinicus
Genus
Coleus
Family
Lamiaceae
Order
Lamiales
Collection
Citation
“Coleus amboinicus,” BIDARA, accessed February 4, 2026, https://bidara.uthm.edu.my/items/show/984.