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

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