Dracocephalum tanguticum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It further falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, residing within the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Dracocephalum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct mountainous and high-altitude regions. Within China, it can be found spanning from the South-Central provinces to the North-Central areas. Its presence is also well-documented in the high-elevation terrains of Qinghai. Furthermore, the species thrives within the unique environmental conditions of Tibet. Finally, its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the East Himalaya region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Dracocephalum tanguticum is characterized by its classification as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate. Within the various botanical life form frameworks, it is specifically identified as a hemicryptophyte, distinguishing it from other growth strategies such as phanerophytes, chamaephytes, or therophytes. This life history strategy allows the plant to survive seasonal dormancy by sheltering its regenerative tissues at the soil level, facilitating its ability to persist through unfavorable environmental conditions and re-emerge during the growing season.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Dracocephalum tanguticum is characterized by its growth habit as a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing mechanisms such as tendrils or twining stems. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies toward host plants, and is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit rather than being an epiphyte. The plant typically features upright, aromatic stems often covered in fine pubescence, which support oppositely arranged leaves that vary in shape from ovate to lanceolate. Its inflorescence is composed of dense, verticillate clusters of small, tubular flowers, often exhibiting hues of blue, purple, or violet, which are characteristic of the Lamiaceae family.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dracocephalum tanguticum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rosmarinic acid, Betulin, COSMOSIIN, OLEANOLIC ACID, Ursolic acid.

rosmarinic acid

1. Scientific reports
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Betulin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

COSMOSIIN

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Ursolic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

betulinic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

p-Hydroxybenzoic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Preparations

Dracocephalum tanguticum has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude polysaccharides, whole plants.

Crude polysaccharides

1. Food science & nutrition

Whole plants

1. Natural product research