Nettle With Gorgeous Leaves. Acquaintance

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

In the last century, Coleus grew with a uniform color on almost every windowsill. Classic specimens had time to grow up to 80 cm in a year, they branched heavily. Every year I had to rejuvenate the bushes by pruning. Now the variety of new varieties never ceases to amaze with bizarre colors and leaf shapes

Genus history

The Coleus genus consists of over 150 wild species. Belongs to the Lamiaceae family. For cultural plantings, one option is suitable - Blum's coleus. In the wild, it is found in the tropical forests of Africa and Asia. Migrated to Europe in the middle of the 19th century from the island of Java.

A few years later in England, about two dozen variegated varieties of different colors were sold at auction. The prices for flowers were fabulously high. The names of the first copies were given in honor of kings. "Magnificent nettle" - the plant is affectionately called by Europeans.

At home, there are several types of coleus, forming potato-type tubers. They differ in color: yellow-pink, black, cream, gray. The structure is delicate, there are no fibers, they contain starch. It is eaten by the local population.

The value of culture

Most flowers are prized for their beautiful buds. Coleus amazes the eye with a variety of colors on the leaves: yellow, dark and light green, red, pink, brownish-burgundy, violet-black. Fancy patterns in the form of strokes, spots, stripes, edging are scattered on a plain background.

The edge of the sheet is diverse:

• cut out;

• smooth;

• corrugated;

• dissected;

• fringed.

Bluish small inflorescences, collected in panicles, are not particularly decorative. Compared to the leaves, they look inconspicuous. Over time, the flower arrows stretch out, losing their compactness.

Coleus varieties are easily pollinated among themselves, hybrids are split according to parental forms. Often, unremarkable offspring are obtained. The seeds are rarely used by common hobbyists. The arrows are cut before flowering, preserving the beauty of the plants at the expense of the leaves.

Interesting Facts

Coleus placed on the desktop at home or in the office brings good luck in business. Cleans the space of negative energy, neutralizes the influence of others. The leaf plates give off essential oils similar to mint. They intensify brain activity, creativity.

Coleus repels flies, moths and other parasites. Creates a clean atmosphere. On the leaves there are tubercles that look like small lenses. The bright colors of the plates are due to these devices. Without them, the plant will turn pure green.

The food coloring changes the color of the leaves. Place the cutting in the solution; after a while, due to the turgor, the movement of water along the conducting vessels of the stem will become noticeable.

The name Coleus is translated from Latin as "case". The filaments of the stamens grow together, forming a tube, protecting the pistil from external influences. The closest relatives are spicy herbs: basil, oregano, mint, sage, lemon balm.

At home, plants are planted around coffee plantations, protecting the fields from wild boars. Discovered by botanist Karl Blum, the cultivated species inherited his name.

Beneficial features

Few people think about the beneficial properties of a beautifully painted plant. Coleus has a whole list of medicinal indications:

• improves the functioning of the intestines, lungs;

• destroys fat cells, contributing to weight loss (roots);

• brings the metabolism back to normal;

• normalizes blood pressure, cardiac activity, sleep;

• viscosity, blood flow is improved, the risk of stroke is reduced;

• increases the amount of hormones produced by the thyroid gland, secretion of insulin;

• promotes active muscle building, relieves cramps;

• reduces eye pressure;

• treats asthmatic attacks;

• the vegetative part has bactericidal properties, is used for respiratory diseases;

• relieves allergic skin reactions.

In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used: roots, leaves, inflorescences.

Before using drugs, you should consult a doctor.

Contraindicated in:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding for young mothers;

• stomach ulcer;

• poor blood clotting;

• low pressure.

Two weeks before the planned operation, the use of drugs based on coleus is stopped.

We will consider breeding methods, caring for an unusual flower in the next article.