Nepeta tenuifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Schizonepeta tenuifolia
• Elsholtzia integrifolia
• Glechoma tenuifolia
• Glechoma japonica
• Nepeta vaniotiana
• Schizonepeta tenuifolia var. japonica

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Nepeta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across various regions within China. It can be found growing in the areas of China South-Central and China North-Central. Additionally, its distribution extends into the northern territories of Inner Mongolia and Manchuria. The species also makes its presence known within the high-altitude landscapes of Qinghai. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse environmental niches inhabited by Nepeta tenuifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Nepeta tenuifolia is characterized by its ability to thrive within a significant altitudinal gradient, occupying diverse montane and subalpine niches. This species is typically found across an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL. This broad distribution suggests an adaptability to varying thermal regimes and atmospheric pressures, allowing the plant to persist in both lower-altitude scrublands and higher-elevation rocky slopes or alpine meadows. Its presence across such a wide vertical span indicates a resilience to fluctuating environmental conditions, including varying levels of solar radiation and moisture availability common in mid-to-high altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Nepeta tenuifolia is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth strategy and ecological positioning, the species functions as a therophyte, meaning it survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds. This life form allows the plant to quickly colonize available spaces during favorable environmental conditions before returning to a dormant seed state to endure period of stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Nepeta tenuifolia is characterized by a growth form classified as a forb, presenting a non-woody structure throughout its development. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite, establishing itself as a terrestrial species. In terms of its structural habit, it is described as a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing mechanisms associated with lianas or vines, as it does not require external support to maintain its upright posture.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Nepeta tenuifolia is characterized by its adaptation to temperate environments through a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy supports the plant's growth patterns and energy production within its typical ecological niches. The plant's physiological processes are closely linked to the production and secretion of secondary metabolites, particularly volatile essential oils such as nepetalactone, which are synthesized through specialized glandular trichomes on the leaf surfaces. These metabolic activities are regulated by environmental factors such as light intensity and temperature, influencing the rate of gas exchange and the concentration of bioactive compounds. Through its C3 mechanism, the plant efficiently manages carbon assimilation to maintain cellular homeostasis and drive its developmental stages, from vegetative expansion to reproductive flowering.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nepeta tenuifolia has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Guang pu xue yu guang pu fen xi = Guang pu

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Stem

1. Guang pu xue yu guang pu fen xi = Guang pu

Chemicals

Nepeta tenuifolia has 51 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pulegone, MENTHONE, (-)-Pulegone, Volatile oil, (+)-Menthone.

Pulegone

1. PloS one
2. Plant biotechnology journal
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Horticulture research
5. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

MENTHONE

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Plant biotechnology journal
3. Chemistry & biodiversity
4. Current issues in molecular biology

(-)-Pulegone

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
2. Frontiers in plant science
3. Phytochemistry

Volatile oil

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

(+)-Menthone

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

D-Limonene

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Flavonoids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Frontiers in plant science

LIMONENE

1. Plant biotechnology journal
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Monoterpenes

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

(+)-Limonene

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Nepeta tenuifolia has 169 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral, ACE-Inhibitor, Analgesic, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomedical chromatography : BMC
3. Journal of biomedical research

Antiviral

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Frontiers in plant science

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLyme

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Nepeta tenuifolia has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antiviral, cold, fever, respiratory diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations