Cockscomb mint

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ciliate elsholtzia
• crested elsholtzia
• crested late-summer mint
• crested late-summer-mint
• Crested latesummer mint

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Elsholtzia cristata f. leucantha
• Hyssopus bracteatus
• Elsholtzia ciliata var. duplicatocrenata
• Elsholtzia ciliata var. remota
• Elsholtzia cristata
• Elsholtzia communis var. longipilosa
• Elsholtzia cristata f. saxatilis
• Elsholtzia formosana
• Elsholtzia interrupta
• Elsholtzia pseudocristata
• Elsholtzia serotina
• Elsholtzia cristata var. ramosa
• Perilla polystachya
• Elsholtzia hallasanensis
• Mentha ovata
• Elsholtzia springia
• Hyssopus ocymifolius
• Sideritis ciliata
• Elsholtzia ciliata var. brevipes
• Elsholtzia cristata var. saxatilis
• Elsholtzia splendens var. hallasanensis
• Elsholtzia ciliata f. leucantha
• Elsholtzia ciliata var. depauperata
• Elsholtzia splendens f. albiflora
• Elsholtzia ciliata var. ramosa
• Sideritis ciliata var. mokpoensis
• Mentha patrinii
• Elsholtzia ciliata var. minima
• Elsholtzia cyprianii var. longipilosa
• Mentha cristata
• Mentha baikalensis
• Elsholtzia pseudocristata var. saxatilis
• Elsholtzia patrinii
• Elsholtzia saxatilis
• Elsholtzia hallasanensis f. albiflora
• Elsholtzia cristata f. ruderalis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is situated in the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Elsholtzia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a distinct distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within the borders of Denmark and Sweden. Moving southward, the species becomes established throughout various parts of Middle Europe. Specifically, it inhabits the territories of Germany and Poland. Additionally, the geographical range extends into the central regions of Czechia and Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Elsholtzia ciliata is defined by its preference for rugged, high-altitude environments, specifically thriving in mountains and stony places. This species occupies a significant vertical niche within its ecosystem, with an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1350 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3700 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at a mean elevation of 2000 m AMSL, where it has adapted to the specific climatic and soil conditions characteristic of montane, rocky terrains.

Elevational range max:

3700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1350 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Elsholtzia ciliata is characterized by its long-term existence as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a permanent presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth strategy and survival mechanisms, the plant exhibits characteristics consistent with a phanerophyte, as it develops significant woody structures that elevate its photosynthetic organs above the ground level. While the specific classification within certain botanical frameworks might contrast with its primary growth habit, its biological lifecycle is defined by a multi-year developmental process that transitions from seedling establishment to a mature, long-lived tree form, ensuring reproductive stability over successive seasons.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Elsholtzia ciliata is characterized by a growth form categorized as both a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial existence. The plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine, and it displays an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a minimum height of 0.1 m, a maximum height of 0.5 m, and a mean plant height of approximately 0.4875 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.4875 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Elsholtzia cinerea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in temperate woody species where carbon fixation occurs directly via the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic process is optimized for environments where water availability and moderate temperatures allow for efficient gas exchange through stomata. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Elsholtzia ciliata is characterized by a sexual reproductive strategy utilizing bisexual flowers. The flowering period typically commences in July and concludes in September. The pollination process is governed by a biotic syndrome, specifically relying on insects for successful fertilization, while self-fertilization is notably absent. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a very small mass; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.000247 g, with values ranging from a minimum of 0.0002 g to a maximum of 0.00023 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are distributed via animals to facilitate the expansion of the species.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00023 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000247 g

Seed mass min:

2e-04 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Elsholtzia ciliata has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E,E)-alpha-farnesene, 1,8-Cineole, 1-OCTEN-3-OL, ACETOPHENONE, ALPHA-PINENE.

(E,E)-alpha-farnesene

1. Dr. Duke

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

1-OCTEN-3-OL

1. Dr. Duke

ACETOPHENONE

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPHENE

1. Dr. Duke

Caryophyllene

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Elsholtzia ciliata has 137 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral, Analgesic, Antiacetylcholinesterase, Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiacetylcholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Carminative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Elsholtzia ciliata has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fever, inflammation, itching, murine cytomegalovirus, neurodegenerative diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations