Nepeta clarkei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Glechoma clarkei

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, falling into the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Nepeta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range across several mountainous regions of Asia. Within Western Asia, it can be found growing in the terrain of Afghanistan. Its distribution extends into China, where it is specifically located in the Tibet region. In the Indian Subcontinent, the species is native to both Pakistan and the West Himalaya. Consequently, these diverse locations define the natural habitat of Nepeta clarkei.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Nepeta clarkei is characterized by its preference for high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a specific altitudinal niche. This species is primarily distributed across mountain ranges at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1600 m AMSL to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Within this vertical gradient, the plant occupies various microhabitats that provide the necessary moisture and light conditions required for its growth. Its presence in these mid-to-high elevation zones suggests an adaptation to cooler temperate climates and specific soil compositions typical of alpine or sub-alpine meadow ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Nepeta clarkei is characterized by a perennial growth pattern, specifically classified as a hemicryptophyte. This life form indicates that its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate during unfavorable periods. As a hemicryptophyte, the plant maintains its survival through seasonal transitions by sheltering its regenerative structures at the ground level, allowing it to re-emerge vigorously during the growing season. This biological strategy enables the species to persist in its native habitats, navigating environmental fluctuations through its specialized survival mechanism at the soil-atmosphere interface.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Nepeta clarkei is characterized by a growth habit that is strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic tendencies. As a non-climbing species, it does not exhibit any climbing behavior, being neither obligatory, facultative, nor self-supporting in a climbing capacity. Furthermore, the plant functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic characteristics as it is neither an obligatory, facultative, nor independent parasite.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Nepeta clarkei has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Actinidine.

Actinidine

1. Applied and environmental microbiology

Conditions

Nepeta clarkei has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus.

Aspergillus flavus

1. Applied and environmental microbiology

Aspergillus ochraceus

1. Applied and environmental microbiology