# Lobster flower

*Coleus neochilus*

Known as the 'Scaredy Cat Plant,' its intense aroma is widely believed to repel domestic cats and dogs from garden beds.

- **Taxonomy:** Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Lamiales › Lamiaceae › Coleus
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Dry bushveld, rocky outcrops, and coastal scrub.
- **Diet:** Photosynthetic
- **Range:** South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Australia
- **Size:** 15-30 cm tall, spreading ground-cover
- **Lifespan:** 3-5 years
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Habitat fragmentation and urban development.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless. The foliage emits a strong skunky odor when touched. Safe to handle at any distance; wash hands after contact to remove the scent. Non-toxic to humans.

## About

Coleus neochilus , synonym Plectranthus neochilus , which is colloquially known as lobster bush , fly bush or mosquito bush , is a perennial ground cover with highly fragrant, partially scalloped, ovate leaves and purple blue inflorescent spikes.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/c84aab7e-36c7-4cde-84e8-fc44345cb52a
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1229224
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleus_neochilus
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/60339261/medium.jpg (lallen, CC0, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.