Elsholtzia griffithii Hooker (1885: 644

Sun, Zeng-Peng, Zhao, Yue, Bongcheewin, Bhanubonb, Kim, Sangtae, Guo, Guang, Funamoto, Tsuneo, Wang, Huan-Chong & Xiang, Chun-Lei, 2022, Systematic placement of Elsholtzia griffithii (Nepetoideae, Lamiaceae), a new record from China, Phytotaxa 548 (1), pp. 39-50 : 44-46

Elsholtzia griffithii Hooker (1885: 644 , Fig. 2 ).

Type: — East Bengal, the late East India Company , Griffith W ., 3975 (holotype: K!; isotype: P!) .

Diagnostic characters: — Elsholtzia griffithii Hook. f. is morphologically similar to E. cyprianii (Pavol.) S. Chow ex Hsu , but can be distinguished from the former by its lanceolate bracts exceeding the flowers, 3.0–4.0 mm long; five calyx-lobes unequal, of which anterior two lobes shorter than three posterior lobes (vs. bracts up to 3.0 mm, generally shorter than flowers, calyx teeth equal in E. cyprianii ).

Herbs annual, 15–60 cm tall. Stems simple, erect, 4-angled, densely retrorse pubescent or villous. Leaves opposite; petiole 0.5–2.0 cm; leaf blade oblong to ovate-oblong, 2.0–8.0 cm × 1.0– 2.5 cm, herbaceous, adaxially dark green, puberulent, abaxially densely pubescent, glandular, base broadly cuneate, decurrent, midrib prominent abaxially, lateral veins 4–6 paired, margin crenate-serrate to coarsely serrate, apex acute. Spikes cylindric, 8–15 × 0.5–1.0 cm, terminal, retrorse white pubescent; verticillasters compact; bracts lanceolate, 3.5–4.0 mm long, exceeding the flowers; pedicle nearly absent. Calyx green, tubular-campanulate, ca. 1.8 mm, densely white pubescent outside, teeth 5, lanceolate, ca. 0.8 mm long, anterior 2 calyx lobes shorten, and the posterior frontal lobe is longer than two lateral lobes. Corolla reddish or white, 2–2.5 mm, pubescent and glandular outside, glabrous inside; 2-lipped, upper lip entire or emarginate, middle lobe of lower lip circular, lateral lobes semicircular, margin entire. Stamens 4, straight, exserted from upper lip of corolla, 2 anterior stamens much longer, 3.0– 3.5 mm long, filaments filiform, glabrous. Style much exserted, 2.5–3.0 mm as long as posterior pair of stamens, apex equally two-cleft.

Phenology: —Flowering from May to August, fruiting from August to October.

Distribution and Habitat: — Bangladesh, China (Guangxi), India, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand ( Bongcheewin & Chantaranothai 2008; Hong et al. 2021). Elsholtzia griffithii is currently known from Huanjiang County of Guangxi Province in southern China. It grows on the rocks of field or on the roadside at an altitude of 264–314 m, together with Bidens pilosa Linnaeus (1753: 832) , Acalypha australis Linnaeus (1753: 1004) , Oxalis corniculata Linnaeus (1753: 435) , Cayratia japonica (Thunb.) Gagnepain (1911: 349) etc. Elsholtzia griffithii is known only in two locations in Huanjiang County, Guangxi, further exploration may result in the discovery of additional localities for this species.

Common name (assigned here): —Chang Bao Xiang Ru (Rfiŧḛ; Chinese name).

Additional specimens examined of Elsholtzia griffithii : — CHINA. Guangxi Province: Huanjiang County, Chuanshan, near the ancient road of Xiazhai village , 25°8′39.53″N, 108°3′5.43″E, on the rock of field, alt. 264 m, 18 May 2021, Sun ZP and Xiao JF DC03 ( KUN); Huanjiang County , Chuanshan, on the way from Shangbaidan village to Mulun Nature Reserve , roadside, alt. 314 m, 19 Jun. 2021, Sun ZP and Xiao JF DC06 ( KUN) .

Additional specimens examined of Elsholtzia cyprianii : — CHINA. Guangxi Province: Jingxi County, Sanhe, Damengtun village , alt. 980 m, 27 Sep. 2010, Huang et al. LYJX0786 ( IBK) ; Jingxi County, Tongling large barranca, alt. 390 m, 8 Dec. 2015, Zhang et al. s.n. ( PE) ; Tianlin County, Langping, Nongyang village , alt. 1300 m, 30 Nov. 2012, Tian Lin Exped. 451029121130030 ( GXMG) . Jiangxi Province: Xiushui County, Dachun, near Yangjinyunkeng village , alt. 689 m, 28 Oct. 2014, Tan et al. 2125 ( KUN) . Sichuan Province: Mianning County, alt. 1820 m, 30 Oct. 1993, Zhao ZC 5345 ( PE) . Yunnan Province: Eryuan County, Dengchuan to Eeyuan on the way, alt. 2050 m, 10 Oct. 2012, Xiang CL 521 ( KUN) ; Kunming City, Panlong District, Xiaoshao village , alt. 2350 m, 19 Oct. 2019, Sun ZP and Zhang BY SZP0006 ( KUN) ; Nanjian County, Gonglang, near Luodihe hydroelectric dam, alt. 1210 m, 30 Dec. 2015, Liu et al. 4627 ( KUN) ; Yangbi County, Shangpingpo , alt. 1854 m, 29 Nov. 2007, Pu CX and Chen WY 2007157 ( KUN) ; Wenshan City, near Wenshanzhuili street, 1404 m, 5 Nov. 2007, Chen WY, Ji YH and Pu CX 2007105 ( KUN) ; Yingjiang County, near Pugahe bridge, alt. 710 m, 14 Dec. 2012, Guo et al. 12 CS5292 ( KUN) ; Dali City, Jizu mountain , alt. 2231 m, 28 Nov. 2007, Pu CX and Chen WY 2007154 ( KUN) .

Additional specimens examined of Elsholtzia communis : — CHINA. Yunnan Province: Honghe City, Lvchun County, Pinghe , alt. 990 m, 15 Feb. 2008, Li R and Zhang HX DZL-253 ( KUN); Menghai County, Jingpozuzhai village, alt. 1600 m, 18 Dec. 1986, Huang ZX 38948 ( KUN); Mengla County , alt. 590 m, 27 Nov. 1957, Cai XT 80429 ( KUN, PE) .

Additional specimens examined of Elsholtzia pilosa : — CHINA. Yunnan Province: Eryuan County, Jiulong village , alt. 2100 m, 11 Oct. 2012, Xiang CL et al. 537 ( KUN); Heqing County, Maer mountain, alt. 2546 m, 5 Oct. 2010, Sun et al. SunH-07ZX-3153 ( PE); Kunming City, Panlong District , Xiaoshao village , alt. 2350 m, 19 Oct. 2019, Sun ZP and Zhang BY SZP0005 ( KUN); Shilin County , Shidulin, alt. 2300 m, 12 Sep. 1958, Wang WC 226 ( KUN); Songming County , alt. 2200 m, 9 Oct. 1940, Zhang YB 0017 ( IBSC) . Tibet: Jilong County, Jipu village, 2745 m, 15 Sep. 2019, Chen et al. EM1208 ( KUN); Medog County , alt. 2250 m, 24 Sep. 1982, Li BS and Chen SJ 01045 ( PE); Baxoi County , on the way from Ranwu to Zayü , alt. 2702 m, 14 Sep. 2012, Hu et al. 1209064 ( KUN) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Elsholtzia griffithii. A. Habitat; B. Plant; C. Inflorescence; D. Flower; E. Bracts; F. Calyx; G. Leaves; H. Adaxially leaf; I. Abaxially leaf. B-C and G, photographed by J.F. Xiao; A, D-F, H-I, photographed by Z.P. Sun.