The bracts are broadly ovate, 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) long, acute. įlowers are on a short stem (shortly pedicelled), pale purplish, in dense 10-20 (or more) flowered dense whorls (cymes), at distant intervals, in a long slender spike-like raceme. The taste of the leaves is described as being similar to the one of oregano, but with a sharp mint-like flavor. The aroma of the leaves can be described as a pungent combination of the aromas of oregano, thyme, and turpentine. They are thickly studded with hairs (pubescent), with the lower surface possessing the most numerous glandular hairs, giving a frosted appearance. The margins are coarsely crenate to dentate-crenate except in the base.

Leaves are 5–7 cm (2.0–2.8 in) by 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in), fleshy, undivided (simple), broad, egg/oval-shaped with a tapering tip (ovate). The stem is fleshy, about 30–90 cm (12–35 in), either with long rigid hairs (hispidly villous) or densely covered with soft, short and erect hairs (tomentose). Description Ī member of the mint family Lamiaceae, Coleus amboinicus grows up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall. The species epithet, amboinicus refers to Ambon Island, in Indonesia, where it was apparently encountered and described by João de Loureiro (1717–1791). Common names in English include Indian borage, country borage, French thyme, Indian mint, Mexican mint, Cuban oregano, soup mint, Spanish thyme.

Coleus amboinicus is considered to be native to parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India, although it is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in the tropics where it is used as a spice and ornamental plant. Coleus amboinicus, synonym Plectranthus amboinicus, is a semi- succulent perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae with a pungent oregano-like flavor and odor.

Broad leaf thyme