Indian Catmint

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• catmint
• Indian catmint

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Marrubium indicum
• Anisomeles tonkinensis
• Nepeta indica
• Anisomeles ovata var. glabrata
• Anisomeles indica var. biflora
• Epimeredi indicus
• Anisomeles ovata var. mollissima
• Anisomeles malabarica var. albiflora
• Epimeredi secundus
• Anisomeles indica var. mollissima
• Anisomeles cuneata
• Anisomeles disticha
• Anisomeles ovata var. serratifolia
• Anisomeles albiflora
• Ballota mauritiana
• Monarda zeylanica
• Nepeta disticha
• Nepeta amboinica
• Ajuga disticha
• Ajuga mollissima
• Lophanthus argyi

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Anisomeles indica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, it is placed in the genus Anisomeles.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in both Mauritius and Madagascar. Its distribution also extends significantly into Asia, covering various parts of China. Specifically, it is documented in China South-Central and China Southeast. Additionally, the species has been identified within the unique terrain of Tibet.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anisomeles indica is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient within its natural habitat. This species is typically found distributed across a wide vertical range, occupying various montane and sub-montane niches. Its ecological presence spans from lower elevations of 600 m AMSL up to significant high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 2400 m AMSL. This broad elevational tolerance suggests an adaptability to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures, allowing it to colonize a variety of landscapes ranging from subtropical foothills to temperate highland zones.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Anisomeles indica is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it can persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth habits and survival strategies, the species exhibits diverse life forms depending on its environmental context and developmental stage, specifically manifesting as both a chamaephyte and a therophyte. As a chamaephyte, it maintains its buds close to the ground level, providing resilience against environmental stressors, while its therophyte characteristics indicate the ability to complete its life cycle through a highly specialized seasonal phase, often relying on seeds to persist during unfavorable conditions.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anisomeles indica is characterized by a growth form categorized as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. This terrestrial plant typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 2 meters. It is a self-supporting organism, lacking the climbing tendencies of lianas or vines, and does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anisomeles indica is characterized by a metabolic framework optimized for survival in diverse tropical environments, involving complex biochemical pathways for secondary metabolite production. Its physiological processes include specialized photosynthetic mechanisms to support rapid growth and the synthesis of bioactive terpenoids, such as anisomelesin, which serve defensive roles. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for its development. Consequently, its physiological nitrogen uptake is entirely dependent on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anisomeles indica is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized pollination mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in August, though the timing can be variable across different environments. The plant utilizes biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Furthermore, the species is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success even under varying conditions. The resulting seeds are notably minute, with a consistent mean seed mass of 0.0017 g, a value that represents both the minimum and maximum recorded seed mass for the species.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.0017 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Anisomeles indica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include OVATODIOLIDE, Acteoside, BETA-SITOSTEROL, OVA, STIGMASTEROL.

OVATODIOLIDE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia
3. International journal of molecular sciences
4. Toxicology and applied pharmacology
5. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Acteoside

1. Nutrients

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

OVA

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

STIGMASTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

apigenin

1. International journal of molecular sciences

water

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Anisomeles indica has 54 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Androgenic, Angiogenic.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Cervix)

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Anisomeles indica has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HIV, Helicobacter pylori, SARS-CoV-2 infections, abdominal pain, allergies.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations