Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus
| Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Pseudodictamnus |
| Species: | P. mediterraneus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus Salmaki & Siadati
| |
| Synonyms | |
Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus, the false dittany,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae.[2] It is native to the southern Aegean region.
Taxonomy[edit]
Several common names are attached to this plant, including false dittany, false divinity, and Greek horehound.[3]
Etymology[edit]
The Latin specific epithet pseudodictamnus means "false dittany".[4] In this case, the resemblance is to the classical dittany of Crete, Origanum dictamnus, not to the much more distantly related genus Dictamnus in the family Rutaceae.
Description[edit]
A low mound-forming evergreen shrub growing to 50 centimetres (20 in) tall and wide, it bears almost circular, dished, silver-green leaves with a soft felted texture; and masses of pink flowers (which are mostly hidden by the leaves) in late spring and early summer.[5]
It tolerates temperatures as low as −10 °C (14 °F), but requires very dry conditions and sharp drainage in full sun.
Distribution[edit]
Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus is native to dry Mediterranean regions in Europe and western Asia,[6] including Greece (South Aegean), Egypt, Libya and Turkey. It is also an introduced species in the British Isles and Italy (Sicily).
In horticulture[edit]
In cultivation in the UK, this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder - Ballota pseudodictamnus". Royal Horticultural Society. 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus Salmaki & Siadati | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
- ^ "Ballota pseudodictamnus (BLLPS)[Overview]| EPPO Global Database". gd.eppo.int. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X.
- ^ "Ballota pseudodictamnus". perennials.com. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ Springer., Ogden, Lauren (2000). Passionate gardening : good advice for challenging climates. Proctor, Rob. Golden, Colo.: Fulcrum Pub. ISBN 1555913482. OCLC 42580378.
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Media related to Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus at Wikimedia Commons