We recently identified this species as the widespread East African, Coleus spicatus, now considered a synonym of Coleus caninus. It is characterized by its succulent, glossy foliage that can blush red under stress. Plants in the garden have grown vigorously and are lush green, producing their spikes of violet flowers in abundance. We offer HBG 103465, rooted cuttings of a plant collected by beloved author of many books and articles about succulents, Gordon Rowley (1921–2019). Gordon predicted that the future of the succulent hobby will depend increasingly on hybridization and selection, the present offering notwithstanding. He collected this, his #82, July 18, 1971, in lower Mkuze, Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa. $8.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 94 (2), Summer 2022