Clinopodium gilliesii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bystropogon minutus
• Xenopoma eugenioides
• Micromeria eugenioides
• Micromeria gilliesii
• Satureja eugenioides
• Satureja parvifolia
• Satureja oligantha
• Oreosphacus parvifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of Western and Southern South America. Within the western region, its presence is noted in both Bolivia and Peru. Moving toward the southern part of the continent, the species can be found inhabiting the northeast and northwest regions of Argentina. Additionally, its range extends into the northern territories of Chile. Consequently, the geographical spread of Clinopodium gilliesii covers a significant portion of the Andean and subtropical zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clinopodium gilliesii is defined by its presence within high-altitude montane and subalpine ecosystems, where it occupies a specific vertical niche within the landscape. This species thrives across a significant altitudinal gradient, primarily establishing itself in environments ranging from a minimum elevation of 1200 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 4000 m AMSL. Such a broad elevational range suggests an adaptability to varying climatic conditions, from the temperate conditions of lower montane zones to the more extreme, oxygen-thin, and thermally volatile environments found near the upper limits of its distribution. Its habitat typically involves well-drained soils and specific light availability characteristic of these mountainous terrains, where it plays a role in the local botanical community structure across diverse topographic elevations.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Clinopodium gilliesii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it functions as a chamaephyte, maintaining its buds at or just above the soil surface to facilitate survival and regeneration.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clinopodium gilliesii is characterized by a self-supporting growth form, functioning as a woody shrub rather than a climbing vine or liana. It is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship, and maintains a terrestrial habit, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic species. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, but instead establishes itself firmly in the soil. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary support for its shrub-like development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Clinopodium gilliesii is characterized by the production of minute seeds that play a critical role in its dispersal and establishment within its habitat. Quantitative analysis of the seed morphology reveals a highly consistent and uniform seed mass across the population. The mean seed mass is recorded at 0.000375 g, indicating a very lightweight structure optimized for efficient movement. This consistency is further evidenced by the narrow range of variation observed, with the maximum seed mass reaching only 0.00038 g and the minimum seed mass measuring 0.00037 g. Such minimal fluctuation in seed weight suggests a highly stable reproductive strategy, ensuring that the offspring possess standardized energetic reserves for germination.

Seed mass max:

0.00038 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000375 g

Seed mass min:

0.00037 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clinopodium gilliesii has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Piperitenone oxide, Pulegone, 1,8-Cineole, 1-NONENE, ALPHA-PINENE.

Piperitenone oxide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Pulegone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

1-NONENE

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPHENE

1. Dr. Duke

CITRONELLAL

1. Dr. Duke

Cedrol

1. Dr. Duke

Citronellol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Clinopodium gilliesii has 190 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor, Acaricide.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Clinopodium gilliesii has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils, extracts, methanol extract.

Essential oils

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology