Definition

Noun: 1. A perennial aromatic herb: A type of plant (Plectranthus scutellarioides, syn. Coleus blumei) native to Southeast Asia, characterized by its aromatic nature, large and often vividly colored or patterned leaves, and spikes of blue-violet flowers. It is also known as coleus.

Usage Notes

• "Joseph's coat" is primarily used as a common name for a specific ornamental plant, coleus. The name poetically references the "coat of many colors" from the biblical story of Joseph, describing the plant's multicolored, variegated foliage.
• It functions as a singular, countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The garden border was brightened by a vibrant Joseph's coat.
  • She propagated her Joseph's coat from cuttings.
  • The leaves of Joseph's coat come in combinations of red, yellow, green, and purple.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe the plant's characteristic feature.
  • The garden displayed a stunning array of Joseph's-coat foliage.

Variants and Related Words

• Coleus (n): The more common botanical and gardening name for the same plant.
• Painted nettle (n): Another common name for the same species.

Synonyms

• Coleus
• Painted nettle

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Coat of many colors: The biblical phrase from Genesis 37:3 that is the direct inspiration for the plant's common name, "Joseph's coat."

Noun

1. perennial aromatic herb of southeastern Asia having large usually bright-colored or blotched leaves and spikes of blue-violet flowers; sometimes placed in genus Solenostemon