Leonurus glaucescens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leonurus glaucescens var. latifolius
• Leonurus glaucescens f. latifolius

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Leonurus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across various regions of Eastern Europe. Its presence is noted throughout much of Central European Russia and East European Russia. Additionally, it can be found extending into the territories of South European Russia. The species also inhabits the areas of Northwest European Russia. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes Ukraine.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Leonurus glaucescens is characterized by its adaptation to open, semi-arid landscapes, where it primarily thrives within shrubberies and steppe environments. In these habitats, the plant is integrated into complex plant communities that often experience seasonal moisture fluctuations and intense sunlight exposure. Its presence in steppe ecosystems suggests a resilience to the competitive pressures of low-growing herbaceous vegetation and the specific soil compositions typical of these transitional zones. By occupying the spaces within shrubberies, it benefits from the structural complexity provided by woody perennials, which can offer localized microclimatic stability and varying levels of shade and wind protection.

Habitat :

shrubberies, steppe

Life history

The life history of Leonurus glaucescens is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or surface debris during unfavorable periods. This life form enables the species to re-emerge and continue its developmental cycle annually, ensuring long-term survival within its ecological niche.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Leonurus glaucescens is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, existing primarily as a terrestrial species. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine, maintaining its structure without the need for external support. The plant reaches a moderate height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1 m. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, rather than being an epiphyte or an aquatic/semiaquatic plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Leonurus glaucescens is characterized by its sexual reproductive strategy, as the plant features bisexual flowers that contain both male and female reproductive organs. The flowering period occurs during the warmer months of the year, with the flowering season typically starting in June and concluding in August.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Leonurus glaucescens has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Leonoside A, Leonoside B, Verbascoside, beta-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-3)-4-O-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, lavandulifolioside.

Leonoside A

1. Phytochemistry

Leonoside B

1. Phytochemistry

Verbascoside

1. Phytochemistry

beta-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-3)-4-O-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Phytochemistry

lavandulifolioside

1. Phytochemistry