Coleus argentatus explained

Coleus argentatus, synonym Plectranthus argentatus, common name silver spurflower, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family. It is native to rock outcrops and rainforest in the border region of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Growing to 10NaN0 tall and broad, it is a spreading deciduous shrub. The hairy leaves are ovate to broad-ovate, 5–11.5 cm long, 3–5.5 cm wide with crenate margins. The hairs give the plant an overall sage green to silvery colour. The flowers are borne on terminal racemes up to 30cm (10inches) long, and are bluish white.[1] [2]

Originally described by Queensland botanist Stanley Thatcher Blake, its specific epithet argentatus is Latin for "silver",[3] referring to its foliage.

Cultivation

Coleus argentatus is cultivated in temperate regions as an ornamental bedding plant for its attractive silvery foliage. It strikes readily from cuttings, or can be grown from seed as a half-hardy annual. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. 2008. Dorling Kindersley. United Kingdom. 978-1405332965. 1136.
  2. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Plectranthus~argentatus Plant profile, NSW Flora Online
  3. Book: Simpson DP. Cassell's Latin Dictionary . Cassell Ltd.. 1979. 5. London. 0-304-52257-0.
  4. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Plectranthus argentatus. 15 April 2020.
  5. Web site: AGM Plants - Ornamental . July 2017 . 79 . Royal Horticultural Society . 2 May 2018.