coleus

[koh-lee-uhs]

noun

plural

coleuses 

1. any of several tropical Asian or African plants belonging to the genus Coleus, of the mint family, certain species of which are cultivated for their showy, colored foliage and blue flowers.

coleus

/ ˈkəʊlɪəs /

noun

1. any plant of the Old World genus Coleus: cultivated for their variegated leaves, typically marked with red, yellow, or white: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

Word History and Origins

Origin of coleus¹

1865–70; < New Latin < Greek koleós, variant of koleón sheath, scabbard; akin to conceal, hull ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of coleus¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek koleos, variant of koleon sheath; from the way in which the stamens are joined