Teucrium scordium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. Its presence also extends further north into the landscapes of Sweden. Moving toward the center of the continent, the species is located within Middle Europe. Specifically, it is documented to inhabit the territory of Austria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Teucrium scordium is characterized by its presence in a diverse array of environments, ranging from aquatic and semi-aquatic landscapes to arid and coastal terrains. It is commonly found inhabiting lakes, wet meadows, rivers, swamps, and shores, demonstrating a notable affinity for moisture-rich settings. However, its adaptability extends to more extreme or varied substrates, including saline places, sandy soils, sea coasts, and steppe ecosystems. This plant is specifically adapted to montane conditions, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1200 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

lakes, meadows: wet, mountains, rivers, saline places, sand, sea, shores, steppe, swamps

Life history

The life history of Teucrium scordium is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It adopts a hemicryptophyte life form, meaning its perenn perennial buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or other surface debris during unfavorable periods. This specific life form, categorized both as a hemicryptophyte and a hemicryptophyte, enables the plant to endure seasonal variations while maintaining its ability to regenerate and thrive in its natural habitat over a long-term biological cycle.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Teucrium scordium is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, functioning as both a herb and a forb. This self-supporting plant does not exhibit climbing tendencies and grows independently rather than acting as a parasite or epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial habitat. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.2375 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.2375 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Teucrium scordium is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the standard Calvin cycle typical of many temperate herbaceous species. As a non-carnivorous plant, it relies on traditional nutrient uptake from the soil rather than the digestion of organic matter. Morphologically, the plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 2.02 cm², a measurement that contributes to its overall leaf architecture. Furthermore, the species possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 380.4 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf mass per area and provides insight into its resource acquisition strategies and leaf thickness.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

2.02 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

380.4 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Teucrium scordium is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in September. This plant relies on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect-based syndrome where bees play a primary role in the pollination process; furthermore, self-fertilization is absent, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces seeds with a very small mass, ranging from a minimum of 0.00036 g to a maximum of 0.00044 g, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.000440555666666667 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a hydrochorous syndrome, meaning they are primarily dispersed by water.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00044 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000440555666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00036 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Teucrium scordium has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, CHLOROGENIC ACID, EO, Isoquercitrin, RUTIN.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Isoquercitrin

1. Dr. Duke

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke

SAPONIN

1. Dr. Duke

STIGMASTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Ursolic acid

1. Dr. Duke

beta-Amyrin

1. Dr. Duke

choline

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Teucrium scordium has 300 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-HT-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Teucrium scordium has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress

1. Cell journal

Preparations

Teucrium scordium has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract.

Extract

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences