Where Cuban oregano sits in the tree of life
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Clade | Tracheophytes (Vascular plants) |
| Clade | Angiosperms (Flowering plants) |
| Clade | Eudicots |
| Clade | Asterids |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae (Mint family) |
| Genus | Coleus Lour. |
| Species | C. amboinicus |
Cuban oregano has a complex taxonomic history. The species was first formally described by the Portuguese naturalist João de Loureiro in 1790. It has been placed in multiple genera over the centuries, leading to significant nomenclatural confusion.
The most widely used synonyms include:
Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have reinstated Coleus as a distinct genus, separating it from Plectranthus. The current accepted name is Kalabo Lour.
Lamiaceae (the mint family) is notoriously difficult taxonomically. Genera boundaries are blurred, and molecular data has reshuffled many species. If you see Plectranthus amboinicus in older literature, it's the same plant — just under its former generic placement.