Inca muña

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Inca muña

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Xenopoma bolivianum
• Micromeria boliviana
• Satureja boliviana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Clinopodium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the western and southern regions of the South American continent. In Western South America, its presence is well-documented across the territory of Bolivia. It is also found throughout various regions of Peru, extending its reach across the western part of the continent. Moving toward the southern part of the continent, the species inhabits the northwest portion of Argentina. Consequently, its geographical range spans from the Andean highlands to the northwestern reaches of the southern plains.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clinopodium bolivianum is characterized by its presence within high-altitude montane ecosystems, where it thrives across a significant vertical gradient. This species occupies a broad elevational range, establishing itself in environments spanning from a minimum of 1200 m AMSL to a maximum of 4000 m AMSL. Such a wide altitudinal distribution suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the plant to adapt to the varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability found between sub-montane zones and the high-altitude Andean paramo or puna landscapes.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Clinopodium bolivianum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species exhibits a chamaephyte life form, a classification indicating that its perennially produced buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by a layer of leaf litter or debris. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a low-growing stature allows the plant to maintain stability and regrowth within its specific ecological niche over extended periods.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clinopodium bolivianum is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. It functions as a self-supporting plant, exhibiting neither climbing nor vining tendencies, as it possesses the structural integrity to remain upright without the need for external support. The species is strictly terrestrial in its ecological niche, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic characteristics, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Furthermore, it is an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior, and maintains a consistent woody texture throughout its structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clinopodium bolivianum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include naringenin.

naringenin

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis