Dracocephalum cuspidatum
Dracocephalum cuspidatum, commonly known as Spiked Dragonhead, is a resilient perennial herb native to Mediterranean landscapes. Renowned for its aromatic foliage and striking purple blooms, this medicinal plant offers diverse therapeutic potential. It is traditionally utilized in herbal remedies to support digestive health and possess calming, antioxidant properties.
- Scientific name: Dracocephalum cuspidatum
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, which characterizes its botanical lineage. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Dracocephalum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dracocephalum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Dracocephalum cuspidatum, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In English, it is commonly referred to as Spiked Dragonhead, while in German, it is known as Spitze Drachenkopf. In French, the plant is called Dragonhead, and in Italian, it is known as Testa di drago.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Northern and Central Asia. In the northern reaches, it can be found growing within the Altai mountains of Siberia. Its habitat extends southward into Central Asia, specifically within the borders of Kazakhstan. The species is also documented in the Xinjiang region of China. Finally, its range includes the vast landscapes of Mongolia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Siberia | Altay | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| China | Xinjiang | WCVP |
| Mongolia | Mongolia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as cuspitate dragonhead, is primarily utilized for its medicinal properties derived from the aerial part. This component includes the entire portion of the plant located above the ground, encompassing the leafy stems, the fragrant foliage, and the flowering spikes. The essential oils and bioactive compounds concentrated within these aerial structures are what provide the plant with its characteristic aromatic profile and therapeutic potential.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial part | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dracocephalum cuspidatum has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |