Coleus melleri (Baker) A. J. Paton & Phillipson

Meerts, Pierre J. & Paton, Alan J., 2024, The genus Coleus (Lamiaceae) in Central Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi), with the description of 15 new species, PhytoKeys 246, pp. 71-178 : 71-178

Coleus melleri (Baker) A. J. Paton & Phillipson , Phytokeys 129: 73. 2019 .

≡ Plectranthus melleri Baker , J. Bot. 20: 243. 1882. Type: Madagascar, between Toamasina (Tamatave) and Antananarivo, 3 Aug 1862. C. J. Meller s. n. (holotype K [ K 000430814 ]).

= Plectranthus luteus Gürke , Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 28: 468. 1900.

≡ Coleus luteus (Gürke) Staner , Bull. Agric. Congo Belge 25: 426. 1934. Type: Tanzania, Morogoro District: SE Uluguru Mts, F. Stuhlmann 8790 (holotype B destroyed).

Description.

Paton et al. (2009: 293), Paton et al. (2013: 242), as Plectranthus melleri Baker.

Distribution.

Liberia, Gabon, Uganda to S. Tropical Africa, Madagascar.

Habitat and ecology.

Dense evergreen mountain forest, riparian forest, Ericaceae scrub; 850–2600 m elev.

Additional specimens.

DR. Congo, Kasaï, Kwango, 21 Jul 1955, R. Devred 2317 ( BR); Lac Albert, Lekwa (Djugu), 11 Mar 1959, Deville 229 ( BR); Mt. Dia, 13 Oct 1937, G. C. Gilbert 557 ( BR); Lacs Edouard et Kivu, Lake Kivu, Idjwi Island, 6 Aug 1959, Cambridge Congo Expedition 275 ( BR, US); Ruwenzori, versant ouest, vallée de la Lume, Jul 1929, H. Humbert 8980 ( BR, P); Terr. Kabare, Kahuzi, 11 Feb 1959, A. Léonard 2981 ( BR, WAG); Wimbi, 26 km S Lubero, 21 Jul 1937, J. Louis 4631 ( BR); Mont Biega, 10 Aug 1972, Ntakiyimana 318 ( BR, LWI); Route Bukavu-Walikale, km 48, 17 Mar 1960, J. Petit 9 ( BR, LWI); Zwischen Nyamuragira und Mikeno, 17 Sep 1964, H. U. Stauffer 371 ( BR, WAG, Z). Haut-Katanga, Lusinga, route Mitwaba, 14 Sep 1948, W. Robyns 3591 ( BR); Kundelungu, 10 ° 26 ' S, 27 ° 53 ' E, 5 Oct 1950, A. Schmitz 3201 ( BR).

Rwanda, Près de Pindura, piste de l’Ibigugu, 29 Jul 1974, P. Auquier 3526 ( BR); Flanc sud Sabyinyo, 3 Jul 1972, P. Bamps 3049 ( BR); Uwinka, Nyungwe, 9 Aug 1969, G. Bouxin & M. Radoux 554 ( BR); Volcan Sabyinyo, 4 Feb 1972, G. Troupin 14339 ( BR, WAG); Route Butare-Cyangugu, 2 km avant Gisakura, 24 Aug 1974, P. Van der Veken 10942 ( BR, GENT, WAG).

Burundi, Bugarama, 29 Jun 1969, J. Lewalle 3860 ( BR); Bururi, rives de la Siguvyaye, 2 May 1966, J. Lewalle 761 ( BR, MO, WAG); Bujumbura, Mt. Manga, 14 Sep 1947, M. Reekmans 3520 ( BR).

Notes.

1. The specimen W. Robyns 3591 (BR) from Haut-Katanga (Upemba) is larger than usual in all its parts including corolla and leaf blade base is obtuse-rounded instead of acute-attenuate; it could be a different taxon.

2. The specimen A. Léonard 3526 (BR) differs in having a white corolla (fide collector), being almost glabrous in all parts and lacking propagules; it is almost certainly a distinct taxon, but more materials are needed.