winter savory

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Winter Savory
• savory

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Clinopodium montanum
• Micromeria montana
• Saturiastrum montanum

Regional and Traditional Names

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 and the order Lamiales, falling into the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Satureja.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse presence across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its range extends through both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found growing within the borders of Austria and Germany. Furthermore, its distribution continues into Southwestern Europe, specifically within France. Consequently, these locations highlight the broad geographical footprint of Saturajea montana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Saturajia montana is defined by its highly specialized niche requirements and restricted distribution patterns. This species is primarily found within a high-altitude belt, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 2500 m AMSL to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Its presence in the wild is notably limited, as it is documented only in cultivation and as escaped individuals, suggesting that its natural ecological stability is heavily dependent on human-managed environments or specific microclimates that allow for its survival outside of intentional planting.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2500 m AMSL

Habitat :

only in cultivation and escaped

Life history

The life history of Satureja montana is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or minimal substrate. This chamaphyte growth habit enables the species to endure varying environmental conditions while maintaining its regenerative capacity over time.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Saturajeya montana is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth habit, functioning as both a shrub and a forb. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it grows independently without any parasitic tendencies. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 0.3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Saturajea montana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. This metabolic strategy influences its resource acquisition and growth patterns, as reflected in its morphological adaptations. Specifically, the plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 176 cm²/g, a parameter that integrates its leaf thickness and density to reflect its strategy for light interception and water-use efficiency.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

176 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Saturaja montana is characterized by a strictly sexual process, as asexual reproduction is entirely absent. The flowering period is relatively concentrated, beginning in July and concluding in August. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a dry fruit classified as an achene. This fruit is indehiscent, meaning it does not spontaneously split open at maturity to release its seeds. The dispersal of the seeds follows an autochorous syndrome, where the plant employs self-dispersal mechanisms to distribute its offspring.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Satureja montana has 100 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CARVACROL, rosmarinic acid, CHLOROGENIC ACID, OLEANOLIC ACID, P-CYMENE.

CARVACROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biology
3. Journal of nematology

rosmarinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

P-CYMENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of nematology

Ursolic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

polyphenols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Frontiers in nutrition

(+)-catechin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

1,8-Cineol

1. Dr. Duke

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Satureja montana has 468 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, Antigenotoxic, Antimicrobial, Antitumor.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Anticholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Antigenotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ABeta-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Satureja montana has 15 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include wound healing, Alzheimer's disease, Enterococcus faecalis, Giardia duodenalis, Gram-negative bacteria.

Wound healing

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Alzheimer's disease

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Enterococcus faecalis

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Giardia duodenalis

1. Veterinary parasitology

Gram-negative bacteria

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Gram-positive bacteria

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Klebsiella pneumoniae

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Apoptosis

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Preparations

Satureja montana has 19 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils, EO, EO extracted from Satureja montana encapsulated in chitosan/TPP (tripolyphosphate) nanoparticles, Soxhlet extraction, alcoholic extract.

Essential oils

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Scientific reports
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
4. Journal of nematology
5. Veterinary parasitology

Eo

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Eo extracted from satureja montana encapsulated in chitosan/tpp (tripolyphosphate) nanoparticles

1. Environmental toxicology

Soxhlet extraction

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Alcoholic extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Aqueous extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Aqueous extracts

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Decoctions

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Dry methanol-aqueous extract

1. Folia medica

Ethanolic extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)