Coleus argentatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coleus argentatus |
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Coleus
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argentatus
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The Coleus argentatus, also known as the silver spurflower, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the mint family, which includes many well-known herbs like mint and basil.
This plant is originally from Australia, growing naturally in rocky areas and rainforests. You can find it in the border region between Queensland and New South Wales. It's called "silver spurflower" because its leaves have tiny hairs that make them look silvery or sage green.
The silver spurflower can grow up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall and wide. It's a spreading deciduous shrub, which means it's a woody plant that loses its leaves in certain seasons. Its leaves are oval-shaped, about 5 to 11.5 cm long, and have wavy edges. The flowers are bluish-white and grow in long clusters up to 30 cm (about 1 foot) long.
A botanist named Stanley Thatcher Blake first described this plant. The second part of its scientific name, argentatus, is a Latin word meaning "silver." This name perfectly describes its unique silvery leaves!
Growing Silver Spurflower
The Coleus argentatus is a popular plant to grow in gardens, especially in places with a mild climate. People love it for its attractive silvery leaves, which add a special touch to flower beds.
It's quite easy to grow! You can start new plants from cuttings, which means taking a piece of the plant and helping it grow roots. You can also grow it from seeds. It's considered a "half-hardy" annual plant, meaning it might not survive very cold winters but can be grown fresh each year.
This plant is so well-liked that it has even won an award! The Royal Horticultural Society, a famous gardening organization, gave it their Award of Garden Merit. This award means it's an excellent plant for gardeners to choose.
Images for kids
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A close-up view of the silver spurflower's unique foliage.
See also
In Spanish: Plectranthus argentatus para niños
