Stachys diversifolia Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient

Akçiçek, Ekrem, 2020, Taxonomic revision of Stachys sect. Olisia (Lamiaceae: Lamioideae) in Turkey, Phytotaxa 449 (2), pp. 109-148 : 135

7. Stachys diversifolia Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient , ser. 1, 12: 80 (1853) ( Figs. 2C , 26, 27 )

Type:―[ SYRIA] in dumosis regionis montanae in via inter Latakieh [Latakia] et Aleppum loco 6−7 leucis [24–28 km] a priori distanti, June 1846, Boissier s.n. (holo: G!).

Description:―Suffrutescent perennial with sterile basal rosettes. Flowering stems erect, slender, simple or sparingly branched above, 20‒90 cm, glabrescent to sparsely adpressed-pubescent (0.3‒2 mm hairs). Basal leaves ovate to oblong-elliptic or orbicular, 0.6‒5 × 0.4‒2 cm, subentire to faintly serrate at margin, rounded or cuneate at base to attenuate into 0.5‒9 cm petiole, rounded or obtuse at apex, glabrescent to sparsely long adpressed-pubescent. Cauline leaves narrowly oblanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 0.6‒5.5 × 0.1‒1 cm, subentire to entire at margin, acute at apex, sessile, glabrous with few sessile glands. Floral leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, uppermost ovate-lanceolate, 4‒18 × 0.8‒3 mm, mucronulate at tip (mucro 0.2‒0.5 mm), lower exceeding the verticillasters, upper ones as long as verticillasters. Verticillasters 1‒2-flowered, lower remote, 1.5‒5 cm distant, upper ± approximate on simple or branched inflorescence axis. Bracteoles few, linear-subulate, apex setose, 1.5‒5 mm, mucronate at tip. Pedicels ca. 1 mm. Calyx ± regular, subcampanulate, 5‒7.5 mm, hirsute or puberulent with few sessile glands and short glandular hairs, mouth sparsely hairy (between calyx teeth); teeth ± equal, lanceolate, erect, 1.5‒3 mm, pungent, half the length of tube to slightly shorter than tube, mucronate at tip (mucro 0.3‒1 mm). Corolla pale pink, 10‒17 mm, tube exserted, long hairy above, glabrous below, annulate; limb bilabiate, upper lip 3.5‒6.5 mm, shorter than lower, emarginate, lower lip 3-lobed, middle lobe largest, subglobose, 7‒8.5 mm. Stamens 4, slightly exserted from corolla tube. Nutlets obovoid, 2.5‒3 × 1.5‒2 mm, ribbed, smooth on surface, blackish-brown.

Phenology: ―Flowering between June and July.

Distribution and ecology: ―West Syria (Latakia), Turkey (South Anatolia). East Mediterranean element. Pinus brutia and Fagus-Quercus woods, rocky mountainous ground, river bank. 240‒1550 m elevation.

Conservation status: ―VU [Criteria B2ab(i,ii,iv)] ( IUCN 2017). This species occurs only in the Amanos Mountains in Turkey. The habitat of the taxon is threatened by soil erosion.

Remarks: ― S. diversifolia is a very distinct species showing some affinity with S. inanis and S. munzurdagensis , but distinguishable by its bracteoles 1.5‒5 mm long, linear-subulate and with mucronate tip (bracteoles are absent in both latter species).

Figures

FIGURE 2. A. Stachys annua subsp. annua (Akçiçek 5559); B. S. distans var. cilicica (Akçiçek 5527); C. S. diversifolia (Akçiçek 5595); D. S. inanis (Akçiçek 5630); E. S. maritima (Akçiçek 5624); F. S. distans var. distans (Akçiçek 5807); G. S. munzurdagensis (Akçiçek 5332).

FIGURES 27. Distribution map of Stachys diversifolia (▲), S. inanis (▃) and S. munzurdagensis (●) in Turkey.