perennial yellow woundwort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Perennial Yellow-Woundwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Betonica recta
• Ortostachys recta

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found in Austria and Belgium. It also inhabits the territories of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, its geographical range extends through Germany.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Stachys recta is characterized by its adaptation to rugged and exposed environments, specifically thriving within mountainous regions and steppe ecosystems. It is frequently found colonizing stony places, where it demonstrates a resilience to well-drained, often nutrient-poor substrates and high levels of solar radiation. This preference for rocky outcrops and open, wind-swept landscapes suggests an ecological niche defined by moderate to low competition from denser vegetation and a high tolerance for the fluctuating temperature extremes typical of montane and semi-arid steppe habitats.

Habitat :

mountains, steppe, stony places

Life history

The life history of Stachys recta is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable periods. Furthermore, the species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle to manage environmental stressors.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Stachys recta is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant exhibits an ascending shoot orientation and is a self-supporting species rather than a climber or liana. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively modest height, with a minimum height of 0.2 m, a mean height of approximately 0.325 m, and a maximum height that can reach up to 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.325 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Stachys recta is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under standard environmental conditions. Morphologically, the plant exhibits a mean leaf size of approximately 7.405 cm², reflecting its structural adaptation for light interception and gas exchange. Complementing this surface area, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 285.35 cm²/g, an indicator of its leaf mass per area that suggests a relatively thin leaf structure optimized for efficient resource allocation and photosynthetic capacity.

Leaf size mean:

7.405 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

285.35 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Stachys recta is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and specialized pollination and dispersal mechanisms. The plant begins its flowering period in June and continues through until September. Its reproductive process relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Regarding its genetic strategy, self-fertilization is present, allowing for successful seed production. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.001505111 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.001022 g to a maximum of 0.00163 g. Once mature, the seeds are distributed via a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning they rely on animals for movement to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00163 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001505111 g

Seed mass min:

0.001022 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Stachys recta has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Preparations

Stachys recta has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous preparations.

Aqueous preparations

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis