Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 July 2024 | 16(7): 25617–25622

 

ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) 

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8972.16.7.25617-25622

#8972 | Received 15 February 2024 | Final received 17 May 2024 | Finally accepted 27 June 2024

 

 

New distribution record of Slender Wild Basil Clinopodium gracile (Benth.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae: Nepetoideae: Mentheae) for the flora of Himachal Pradesh, India

 

Rimjhim Chandra 1   & Mamita Kalita 2

 

1 Department of Botany, Government Degree College, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh 171005, India.

2 Department of Botany, Digboi College, Digboi, Assam 786171, India.

1 rimjhimchandra6@gmail.com, 2 mamita.bot@gmail.com (corresponding author)

 

                                   

Editor: K. Haridasan, Palakkad, Kerala, India.      Date of publication: 26 July 2024 (online & print)

 

Citation: Chandra, R. & M. Kalita (2024). New distribution record of Slender Wild Basil Clinopodium gracile (Benth.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae: Nepetoideae: Mentheae) for the flora of Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 16(7): 25617–25622. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8972.16.7.25617-25622

  

Copyright: © Chandra, R. & M. Kalita 2024. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.  JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

 

Funding: None.

 

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

 

 

Abstract: Clinopodium gracile (Benth.) Kuntze has been recorded for the first in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The study provides descriptions, illustrations, and photographs to aid in the identification of the species. The new distribution record has been entrenched upon investigation based on observation and verification obtained from herbarium, literature, and plant web databases.

 

Keywords: Calamint, distribution, flora, identification, keys, native.

 

 

The mint family Lamiaceae Martinov (also known as Labiatae Juss.) has profound distribution, confining 232 accepted genera. According to Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG IV), the genus `Clinopodium´ is bound within the sub-family Nepetoideae (Dumortier) Luerssen and tribe Mentheae Dumortier (Stevens 2001 onwards). Clinopodium L. comprises about 20 species in Asia and Europe (Li & Hedge 1994). In accord with Plants of World Online (POWO 2024), Clinopodium has nativity in tropical and sub-tropical regions with 186 species. The genus is commonly known as Calamint (Weakley 2010) due to the inclusion of Calamintha Mill. members. Doroszenko (1985) served Clinopodium as a section of Calamintha. However, the latter remains as a synonym for the former genus due to the priority of Clinopodium (1753) over Calamintha (1754). According to the database of POWO, Clinopodium is native to India and portrayed by seven species: Clinopodium capitellatum (Benth.) Kuntze, C. gracile (Benth.) Kuntze, C. hydaspidis (Falc. ex Benth.) Kuntze, C. javanicum (Blume) I.M.Turner, C. piperitum (D.Don) Murata, C. umbrosum (M.Bieb.) K.Koch., and C. vulgare L. The species `Clinopodium gracile´ is native to Asia (Weakley 2010). It can be allocated from China, Indonesia, Japan, Jawa, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, & Tripura). It commonly flourishes near river banks, wild/semi-wild areas, and alongside forest margin sites (Li & Hedge 1994). In accord with Cantino & Wagstaff (1998), the species is associated with a morphologically diverse and taxonomically complex group called the `clinopodioid complex´. The species retain a 2n = 18 chromosomes number and distinct in possessing one vascular bundle in its petiole (Hsieh & Huang 1998).

Clinopodium gracile is known as slender wild Basil (Zomlefer et al. 2011). According to Mao & Dash (2020), Clinopodium is represented by three species in Himachal Pradesh: Clinopodium capitellatum, C. umbrosum, and C. vulgare.  However, in accord with POWO (2024), three additional species C. hydaspidis, C. javanicum and C. piperitum can also be found. The presently examined `Clinopodium gracile´ is the seventh addition of Clinopodium species to the flora of Himachal Pradesh.

 

Materials and Methods

The first author collected the plant specimen from Gajnoi region during a field trip in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh. Field photographs, and GPS location were recorded and flowering plant parts were collected for further investigations. The morphological attributes, including stem, leaves, inflorescence, bract, flowers, calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium have been studied.  The vegetative and reproductive features have been examined and the species was identified as Clinopodium gracile (Benth.) Kuntze. Further, the species identity was confirmed based on microfilms of herbarium records as furnished in specimen examined section. The voucher specimen of the presently examined species has been deposited in GUBH. The map showing the precise location of Clinopodium gracile in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh has been laid out (Figure 1). Also, a photoplate (Image 1) and an illustration (Figure 2) displaying the vegetative and reproductive parts have been presented.

 

Taxonomic treatment

Clinopodium gracile (Benth.) Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 2:514.1891. —Clinopodium confine (Hance) Kuntze Gen. Pl. 2:515.1891; Hara In: Jour. Jap. Bot. 101:14.1935. —Clinopodium gracile (Benth.) Matsum Index. Pl. Jap. 2:538.1912 (isonym). —Calamintha gracilis Benth. In: DC. Prodr. 12:232.1848. —Calamintha moluccana Miq. Fl. Ned. Ind. 2:968.1859. —Calamintha confinis Hance In: Journ. Bot. 6:331.1868. —Calamintha radicans Vaniot Bull. Acad. Geogr. Bot. 14:182.1904. —Calamintha argyi H.Lév. In: Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 8:423.1910. —Satureja gracilis (Benth.) Nakai In: J. Coll. Sci. Univ. Tokyo. 31:149.1911;--- Bailey In: Gent. Herb. 1:43.1920. —Satureja confinis (Hance) Kudô Mem. Fac. Sci. Taihoku Imp. Univ. 2:100.1929.

 

Description

Small perennial herb, slender, stoloniferous; Stem quadrangular, numerous, tufted, erect or procumbent at the base, ascending, 8–30 cm, retrorse, pubescent; Leaves opposite, basal leaves circular-ovate, 1.2–1.5 × 1–1.1 cm, base rounded, apex obtuse, margin remotely crenate, lower and mid stem leaves ovate, 1.5–2.5 × 1–1.5 cm, papery, sub-glabrous, abaxially sparsely hispid on veins, apex obtuse, base rounded to cuneate, margin remotely dentate or crenate-serrate, petioles 0.3–1 cm; Inflorescence verticillaster, few flowered (5–10), lax or dense, crowded in short terminal raceme, floral leaves ovate-lanceolate, 0.5–1 × 0.3–0.8 cm, margin serrate, acute; Bract linear, acute, puberulous, much shorter than pedicel; Flower rose-pink, 5–7 × 3–4 mm, pedicel 1–3 mm; Calyx tubular, base rounded, ca. 3–5 mm and declinate in fruit, puberulent or subglabrous, minutely hispid on veins, throat sparsely fine pilose, teeth ciliate, lower two subulate, upper three triangular, reflexed in fruit; Corolla ca. 4.5 mm, puberulent; nutlets ovoid, smooth 0.4–0.5 mm (Image 1 and Figure 2).

Common name: Calamint, Savory, Slender Wild Basil, Tower Flower.

Flowering: The flowering has been observed in July.

Habitat: Stream sides, open grasslands, forest margin, and thickets. 

 

Specimen examined

China: Si-chu-shan, C. Sampson, i.1968, coll. No. 13045, K000193480!  Indonesia: Bakh; Brink, 27.vii.1920, coll. No. 4839, K000193477! Japan: Pref. Chiba, Nokogiriyama, Yoshihiro Asai, 3.v.1959, coll. No. 8518, NY 02706540! USA: Florida, J.R. Burkhalter, 30.iv.1980, coll. No. 6908, 149957! Louisiana, S.R. Hill, 20.iv.1998, coll. No. 29989, 278039! South Carolina, K.A. Bradley, 22.vi.2016, altitude 165 m, coll. No. 4693, 295537! Florida, Tallahassee, Loran C. Anderson, 25.v.2017, 30.44718 N 84.25225 W, coll. No. 30676, NY 04416374! Louisiana, Iberia Parish, Roland M. Harper, 16.vii.1934, NY 03030120! India: Himachal Pradesh, Jot Chamba, Gajnoi, Rimjhim Chandra, 27.vii.2023, 32.4868 N 76.0593 E, altitude 2,880 m, coll. No. 103.

 

Taxonomic note

The specific epithet `gracile´ (Latin–gracilis) suggests the slender and delicate habit of the species. Calamintha gracilis Benth. is the basionym for Clinopodium gracile  (Benth.) Kuntze. Bentham (1848) showed uncertainty about the species kinship to the genus `Clinopodium´. He further considered Clinopodium gracile features somewhere between Clinopodium debilis (C. debile) and Clinopodium umbrosa (C. umbrosum).  Ohwi (1965) mentioned four varieties of Clinopodium gracile viz. C. gracile var. latifolium (H.Hara) Ohwi, C. gracile var. minimum (H.Hara) Ohwi, C. gracile var. multicaule (Maxim.) Ohwi, C. gracile var. sachalinense (F.Schmidt) Ohwi. However, these remain as synonyms of C. latifolium, C. multicaule var. yakusimense, C. multicaule, C. micranthum var.  sachalinense respectively. No infra-specific ranks are available for Clinopodium gracile (POWO 2024).

 

Discussion

Chen et al. (2013) reported 34 essential oil compounds in Clinopodium gracile with higher content of sesquiterpenoids followed by monoterpenoids.  Thus, the species occurring in the Himachal Pradesh region can also act as a potent therapeutic plant. The species can be efficacious in floristic, biodiversity, and conservation studies. The present examined species is similar in morphological description provided by Weakley (2010).

 

Conclusion

The perennial herb Clinopodium gracile, was collected from natural habitat of Gajnoi, Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The location site was specified with 12 numbers of C. gracile plants, growing in deteriorated broad-leaved oak and pine forest. Few other species flourishing along with C. gracile were Ageratum conyzoides L., grasses being Cynodon sp., Stachys sp., ferns such as Diplazium sp., and Matteuccia  sp. The species might be a prospective for multitude of medicative activities. The findings can further assist in exploring the extended distribution of C. gracile in the western Himalayan belt.

 

 

Key to four species of Clinopodium L.  

1. Calyx with glandular hairs

          2.   Calyx teeth ciliate; leaves ovate; verticillate flowers crowded nearby; corolla rose-pink; nutlets ovoid; stoloniferous  ..................................................................... Clinopodium gracile

          2.  Calyx teeth long; leaves sub-obtuse; verticillate flowers distantly cyme; corolla purplish; nutlets ellipsoid; woody rootstock ................................................................................ Clinopodium capitellatum

 

1. Calyx with eglandular hairs

          3.  Calyx with bristly hairs; leaves sharply toothed margin; many (30–40) flowered whorls; lower corolla with notched centre lobe ..............................................................…...... Clinopodium vulgare

          3.  Calyx with wooly hairs, leaves toothless or shallowly toothed; few (10–20) flowered whorls; lower corolla with smooth centre lobe ................................................................... Clinopodium umbrosum                                                                                        

 

For figures & image - - click here for full PDF

 

 

References

 

Bentham, G. (1848). Lamiaceae, pp. 27–603. In: de Candolle, A.P. Prodrumus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis, Volume 12. Parisii, Sumptibus Sociorum Treuttel et Würtz., 232 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.286

Cantino, P.D. & S.J. Wagstaff (1998). A re-examination of North American Satureja s.l. (Lamiaceae) in light of molecular evidence. Brittonia 50: 63–70. https://doi.org/10.2307/2807719

Chen. X.B., X.C. Liu, L. Zhou & Z.L. Liu (2013). Essential oil composition and larvicidal activity of Clinopodium gracile (Benth.) Matsum (Labiatae) aerial parts against the Aedes albopictus mosquito. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 12(5): 799–804. https://doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v12i5.21

Doroszenko, A. (1985). Taxonomic studies on the Satureja complex (Labiatae). Doctoral Thesis. Edinburgh University, Biological Sciences thesis and dissertation collection, Edinburg Research Archives. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/13694

Hsieh, T. & T. Huang (1998). Notes on the Flora of Taiwan-Revision on the genus Clinopodium L. in Taiwan, Taiwania 43(2): 108–115.

Li, X.W. & I.C. Hedge (1994). Clinopodium, pp. 228–231. In: Wu, Z.Y. & P.H. Raven (eds.). Flora of China Volume 17: Verbenaceae through Solanaceae. Science Press, Beijing, China.

Mao, A.A. & S.S. Dash (2020). Flowering Plants of India: An Annotated Checklist, Volume 2: Dicotyledons. Botanical Survey of India, 705 pp.

Ohwi, J. (1965). Flora of Japan: combined, much revised and extended translation. Washington D.C. Smithsonian Institution, 1067 pp.

POWO (2024). Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet. Retrieved
on 5 January 2024.  https://powo.science.kew.org/

Stevens, P.F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website, Version 14.  http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/. Accessed on 10 January 2024.

Weakley,  A.S. (2010). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. United States: University of North Carolina Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 744 pp.

Zomlefer, W.B., D.E. Giannasi, M.W. Denslow, D.B. Poindexter, P. Ball, W.B. Zomlefer, D.E. Giannasi, A. Reynolds & K. Heiman (2011). Noteworthy Collections: Georgia. Castanea 76(2): 187–189. https://doi.org/10.2179/10-043.1