miniature beefsteak-plant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• miniature beefsteak-plant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Calamintha clinopodium var. nepalensis
• Orthodon fomosanus
• Cunila buchananii
• Orthodon hirtus
• Orthodon mayebaranus
• Orthodon tenuicaulis
• Lycopus dianthera
• Orthodon punctatus var. tetrantherus
• Mosla hirta
• Mosla lysimachiiflora
• Orthodon hirtus f. nanus
• Orthodon grosseserratus
• Orthodon grosseserratus var. nanus
• Mosla remotiflora
• Ocimum polycladum
• Mosla formosana
• Orthodon dianthera
• Mosla grosseserrata
• Orthodon lysimachiiflorus
• Mosla dianthera var. nana
• Orthodon grosseserratus var. tenuifolius

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans across diverse regions of Eurasia. In the Russian Far East, it can be found within the Amur region and throughout Khabarovsk. Its distribution continues through the Kuril Islands and extends into the Primorye territory. Additionally, the species is documented in the Caucasus, specifically within the Transcaucasus area. These varied locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit distinct ecological zones across its range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mosla dianthera is characterized by its presence in diverse environments, including crop fields, meadows, shores, and shrubberies. This species thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient, occupying high-altitude zones that range from a minimum elevation of 1750 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 2300 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1750 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, meadows, shores, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Mosla dianthera is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the plant is classified as a therophyte, a life form defined by its ability to survive unfavorable environmental conditions through highly resistant seeds that remain dormant until conditions become favorable for regrowth.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Mosla dianthera is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, exhibiting a compact stature with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.7 m. The plant features an erect shoot orientation and functions as a self-supporting organism, lacking any climbing tendencies such as lianas or vines. It is an independent species that does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than acting as an epiphyte. While its habitat can encompass aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial environments, its primary structural nature is that of a small, non-woody terrestrial herb.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.7 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mosla dianthera is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that dictates its reproductive period. The plant begins its flowering stage in July, marking the onset of its reproductive activity. This flowering period continues through the peak of the summer months and concludes in August, defining a relatively concise reproductive window.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Mosla dianthera has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Asarone, Elemicin, THYMOL, iso-Elemicin.

Asarone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Elemicin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

THYMOL

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

iso-Elemicin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Mosla dianthera has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bronchitis, cough, fever, headache, influenza.

Bronchitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cough

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Headache

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Influenza

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Mosla dianthera has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils.

Essential oils

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology