BALLOTA PSEUDODICTAMNUS subsp. PSEUDODICTAMNUS

Family and Genus:- See- LABIATAE

Common Names:- False dittany

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Ballota (Gr) A name used by the Greek physician and botanist

Dioscorides.

Pseudodictamnus (L) False or pseudo dittany (reference to the

leaves).

General description:- Perennial

Stems:-

1) Up to 30-50 cm. yellowish-tomentose.

Leaves:-

1) Middle cauline, 2-3 ? 1·5-2 cm, subcordate at the base, broadly ovate to almost

circular.

2) Petiole, 2-4 mm.

Flower:-

1) Verticillasters, 6-12-flowered.

2) Corolla, 14-15 mm. tube shorter than or equalling the calyx, with a ring of hairs

inside.

3) Bracteoles, 4-8 mm, linear to spatula-shaped, membranous.

4) Calyx, 8-10 mm, 10-veined, infundibuliform,

a) limb, 7-8 mm diam, irregularly crenate.

b) lobes 5-10, the larger up to 2 mm, broadly triangular-acuminate, more or less

mucronulate.

5) Stamens, parallel, the outer pair the longer.

6) Anther-cells, diverging.

7) Style-branches, subequal.

Fruit:-

1) Nutlets oblong, rounded at the apex.

Key features:-

1) Calyx-limb, 7-8 mm diam.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Dry, rocky slopes with open dry shrubby vegetation and open coniferous

woodland, often gregarious and sometimes dominant. 0-1350 m.

Distribution:- S Aegean Is. and Crete; naturalised in Italy and Sicily. Commonly

grown in gardens for its foliage.

Flowering time:- Apr-June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species): Rare (R) according to IUCN 1997