Deertail Teacost

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Deertail Teacost

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plectranthus ternifolius
• Ocimum ternifolium
• Elsholtzia lychnitis
• Elsholtzia thompsonii
• Rabdosiella ternifolia
• Teucrium esquirolii
• Plectranthus hosseusii
• Rabdosia ternifolia
• Plectranthus buckia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Isodon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Isodon trifoliolus, exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within the Arabian Peninsula, it can be found specifically in Saudi Arabia. Its presence extends into China, where it is documented in both the South-Central and Southeast regions. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is located in the state of Assam. Additionally, the plant is also native to the neighboring territory of Bangladesh.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Isodon trifoliolus is characterized by its specific distribution across diverse altitudinal gradients, thriving within a distinct vertical niche. This species is predominantly found inhabiting montane environments, where its presence is dictated by an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 600 m AMSL to a maximum of 2200 m AMSL. Within this broad altitudinal belt, the plant adapts to varying climatic conditions and topographical complexities, occupying ecosystems that provide the necessary moisture and temperature stability required for its growth. The wide range of its elevational limits suggests a degree of ecological plasticity, allowing it to persist across different microclimates ranging from lower sub-montane zones to higher, cooler mountain slopes.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Isoodon ternifolius is characterized by its classification within the life form categories of nanophanerophyte, phanerophyte, chamaemphyte, hemicryptophyte, geophyte, hydrophyte, helophyte, therophyte, and lithophyte, representing a complex botanical adaptability. As a perennial woody shrub, its developmental cycle typically begins with seed dispersal, often facilitated by water or gravity, leading to germination in moist or riparian habitats. Throughout its lifecycle, it establishes a robust structural presence, transitioning from a young sapling into a mature shrubby form that can withstand seasonal fluctuations. The plant exhibits significant resilience, utilizing its life form strategies to navigate diverse environmental stressors, ranging from periodic inundation to drier periods. During its reproductive phase, it produces flowering structures that attract pollinators, ensuring genetic diversity through seed production, after which the plant enters a period of vegetative growth to accumulate energy reserves for the subsequent growing season.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Isodon trifoliolus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as an independent organism, meaning it is not a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle rather than being an epiphyte. In terms of its climbing habits, it exhibits a self-supporting nature, lacking the obligatory or facultative mechanisms typically found in specialized climbing vines.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Isodon ternifolius has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Stem

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Chemicals

Isodon ternifolius has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 10-epi-Olguine, 3-Carboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-naphthalene, Isodoternifolin A, Isodoternifolin B, Lignans.

10-epi-Olguine

1. Journal of natural products

3-Carboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-naphthalene

1. Phytochemistry

Isodoternifolin A

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Isodoternifolin B

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Lignans

1. Phytochemistry

Longikaurin A

1. European journal of pharmacology

Ursolic acid

1. RSC advances

Medicinal Uses

Isodon ternifolius has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include glioblastoma, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations