Clinopodium polycephalum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Calamintha clinopodium var. pratensis
• Satureja polycephala
• Calamintha polycephala
• Calamintha tsacapanensis
• Calamintha clinopodium var. polycephala

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Following its lineage through the subclass Magnoliidae and order Lamiales, it is a member of the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified under the specific genus Clinopodium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions within China. Its primary distribution can be traced to the landscapes of China South-Central. Additionally, the species is found inhabiting the territories of China North-Central. The geographical range further extends into the diverse environments of China Southeast. Consequently, these three specific areas define the known natural occurrence of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clinopodium polycephalum is characterized by its distribution across diverse montane landscapes, where it thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient. This species is primarily found in high-altitude environments, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 1490 m AMSL to a maximum of 3400 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution suggests an ability to adapt to varying thermal regimes and atmospheric pressures, ranging from temperate mid-elevation zones to the more extreme, cooler conditions found near the alpine limit. Its presence across these varying elevations indicates a capacity to inhabit various microclimates and soil compositions typical of mountain ecosystems, which likely influence its growth patterns and seasonal availability.

Elevational range max:

3400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1490 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Clinopodium polycephalum is characterized by its classification as a hemicryptophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or accumulated organic matter. Within the diverse spectrum of plant life forms—ranging from phanerophytes and chamaephytes to specialized types such as geophytes, hydrophytes, helophytes, lithophytes, and therophytes—this species specifically maintains its survival through these surface-level buds during unfavorable seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, it possesses the capacity to endure seasonal environmental shifts, allowing it to re-emerge from its protected basal structures to complete its vegetative and reproductive cycles.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Clinopodium polycephalum is characterized by its growth habit as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its structure to ascend without the need for external hosts. It functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic tendencies toward other plants. Rather than growing as an epiphyte, this species is strictly terrestrial, establishing its root system within the soil. Furthermore, the plant's physical structure is non-woody, consisting of herbaceous tissues that lack significant lignification.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clinopodium polycephalum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Saikosaponin C, Saikosaponins, Triterpenoid, triterpenoids.

Saikosaponin C

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Saikosaponins

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Triterpenoid

1. Fitoterapia

triterpenoids

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Clinopodium polycephalum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hemostatic.

Hemostatic

1. Frontiers in plant science

Conditions

Clinopodium polycephalum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include uterine bleeding.

Uterine bleeding

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials