Family |
Lamiaceae
Prunella orientalis
Bornm.
Leb. Syr. Tur.
Prunella orientalis Bornm.
First published in Verh. K. K. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien 48: 620 (1898).
(Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, vol. 3, p. 128, Pl. LVIII, 5; 1983)
Description
Life-form & habit: Perennial herb with a creeping underground system and ascending stems 20–40 cm tall, greyish from curled white hairs.
Leaves: Margins bear one or more pairs of conspicuous teeth. Upper leaves are often narrower and pinnately cut.
Inflorescence & flowers: Spikes ovate-oblong, becoming cylindrical and sometimes exceeding 5 cm long. Lower bracts often taper into long points. Corolla 15–20 mm long, projecting conspicuously beyond the calyx.
Flowering and habitat
Phenology: Flowering June–August.
Habitat & elevation: Moist places near water.
Distribution
Lebanese distribution: Besri, Broummana, Beit Meri, Bikfaya, Jouar near Bikfaya, Bhamdoun, Sofar, Sofar–Roueissat, Ain Zehalta, Falougha, Baskinta–Khan Sannine, Ksara, Taanayel, Kfertay and Baskinta.
Syrian distribution: Latakia, Masyaf, Slenfe, Ain Haramiyeh, Froulok, Chakrourane, west of Guebara, Baghtche Caz and Jabal Aqra.
Native range: Lebanon-Syria, Türkiye.
⚠️ Taxonomic note:
Older regional records used the name Prunella grandiflora for this plant. Mouterde distinguishes it as P. orientalis, which Kew accepts as a separate species.