Dracocephalum heterophyllum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ruyschiana heterophylla

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Lamiales and is a member of the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Dracocephalum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats spanning across several key regions in Asia. In the northern reaches of its range, it can be found in the Chita region of Siberia. Its distribution continues through Central Asia, specifically within the territories of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Moving toward Western Asia, the species is documented to grow in Afghanistan. Finally, the plant extends its reach into the South-Central regions of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dracocephalum heterophyllum is characterized by its presence in high-altitude mountainous environments, where it thrives within a specific altitudinal belt ranging from 2400 m to 4500 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity regarding substrate and terrain, colonizing diverse microhabitats including rugged mountains, riparian zones near rivers, sandy areas, and stony places. These varied habitats suggest an ability to adapt to different moisture levels and soil compositions, from the relatively stable environments of riverbanks to the more challenging, well-drained conditions of rocky and sandy montane landscapes.

Elevational range max:

4500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2400 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, rivers, sand, stony places

Life history

The life history of Dracocephalum heterophyllum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species is classified as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennable buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable periods. This life form, specifically identified under both hemicryptophyte classifications, ensures the plant can withstand seasonal environmental fluctuations while maintaining its regenerative capacity from the ground level.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dracocephalum heterophyllum is characterized by its growth as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This species maintains a low profile with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.18 m. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit any climbing tendencies. In terms of its ecological niche and habit, it is a terrestrial species that is neither aquatic, semiaquatic, nor an epiphyte. Furthermore, the plant grows as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.18 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dracocephalum heterophyllum is characterized by its sexual reproductive cycle, involving bisexual flowers that contain both male and female reproductive organs. This species enters its flowering phase during the mid-summer months, with the flowering period typically starting in July and concluding in August.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dracocephalum heterophyllum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-Methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-3-cyclohexen-1-ol, Chrysosplenetin, Diosmetin, Germacrene D, cineole.

4-Methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-3-cyclohexen-1-ol

1. Natural product research

Chrysosplenetin

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Diosmetin

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Germacrene D

1. Natural product research

cineole

1. Natural product research

decahydro-1,1,4,7-tetramethyl-4ah-cycloprop[e]azulen-4a-ol

1. Natural product research

kaempferol

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

luteolin

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

Activities

Dracocephalum heterophyllum has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research