Compilation
Stachys aethiopica

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Name

Identification
Stachys aethiopica L. [family LAMIACEAE ]
Related name
  • Stachys aethiopica

Flora

Entry for Stachys aethiopica [family LAMIACEAE]
Herbarium
South African National Biodiversity Institute, Compton Herbarium, Cape Town (SAM)
Collection
Flora of Southern Africa
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of South Africa, (2003) Author: Dr J.P. Roux
Names
Stachys aethiopica [family LAMIACEAE]
Common names
Betonica capensis Burm. f., Fl. Cap. Prodr. 16 (1768). Type: Pluk., Almagest. Bot. t.315, f.3 (1696). S. pulchella Salisb., Prodr. 83 (1796), nom. illegit. Type: same as for 5. aethiopica L. S. serrulata Burch. ex Benth., Lab. 549 (1834); in DC, Prodr. 12: 477 (1848); Skan, l.c. 350 (1910). Type: Cape, near Knysna, Burchell 5155 (K, holo.!). S. aethiopica var. grandiflora Burch. ex Benth. in E. Mey., Comm. 239 (1837). Type: Cape, Klein Winterhoek, Drege 75d (K, holo.!). —var. hispidissima Benth., l.c. 239 (1837); Skan, l.c. 348 (1910). Type: Cape, Hex River Kloof, Drege 75h (K, holo.!). S. capensis Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 100 (1844); Benth. in DC, Prodr. 12: 496 (1848); Skan, l.c. 366 (1910). Type: Cape, without locality, Krebs 273 (PRC, holo.!). S. hispidula Hochst. in Flora 28: 66 (1845); Skan, l.c. 367 (1910). Type: Cape, Humansdorp District, Krauss 1125. S. fruticetorum Briq. in Bull. Herb. Boissier ser. 2,3: 1083 (1903); Skan, l.c. 351 (1910). Type: Cape, Sir Lowrys Pass, Schlechter 1179 (Z, holo.!; BOL!). S. aethiopica var. glandulifera Skan, l.c. 348 (1910); Jacot Guill., l.c. 237 (1971). Syntypes: several, incl. Zwartkei River, Baur s.n. (K; PRE!). —var. parviflora Skan, l.c. 348 (1910); Salter, l.c. 697 (1950). Syntypes: several incl. Cape Peninsula, Signal Station, Wolley-Dod 3048 (K; BOL!). S. attenuata Skan, I.e. 351 (1910). Syntypes: Cape, near Bains Kloof, Bolus 2896 (BOL!); Paarl Mtn, Drege 75b (K!). S. harveyi Skan, I.e. 350 (1910). Type: Cape, near Cape Town, Harvey s.n. (TCD, holo.).
Information
Perennial herb, sparingly to freely branched; stems decumbent or ascending up to 0,5 m long or more, variously pubescent with short antrorse hairs, longish spreading to retrorse hairs mixed with glandular hairs, or densely glandular. Leaves petiolate; blade thin to fairly firm in texture, broadly ovate to ovate-deltoid, 8-35 (-60) x 6-25 (—35) mm, sparingly and shortly hispid with or without glandular hairs, rarely almost glabrous, apex subacute to obtuse, base deeply to shallowly cordate, margin regu­larly crenate to crenate-serrate; petiole 3—30 mm long. Inflorescence lax below, dense above, occasionally subcapitate, of few to several verticils; verticils (2—) 4—6-flowered; bracts similar to the leaves below becoming smaller towards the apex, eventually elliptic and equal to or shorter than the calyx. Calyx sparingly to densely hispid and often glandular, 5—8 mm long. Corolla white or pink to deep mauve, usually with purplish flecks on the lower lip; tube 7—10 mm long; upper lip ascending, 2—5 mm long; lower lip deflexed, 5—8 mm long.
Habitat
The variation in this widespread species is discussed more fully elsewhere (Codd, I.e.) and it is pointed out that S. aethiopica tends to be a repository for specimens which are not distinct enough to be satisfactorily segregated as separate species. Thus the key characters for separating it from other species may break down and it is often necessary to use a combination of characters or facies in allocating some specimens.
Use
14. Stachys aethiopica L., Mant. 1: 82 (1767); Benth. in DC, Prodr. 12: 476 (1848); Skan in F.C. 5,1: 348 (1910); Marloth, Fl. S. Afr. 3,2: 180, t.47B (1932); Salter in Fl. Cape Penins. 697 (1950); Jacot Guill., Fl. Lesotho 237 (1971); Ross, Fl. Natal 303 (1972); Codd in Bothalia 12: 186 (1977). Type: Cape Province, LINN 736.13.
Range
Distributed from the Orange Free State, Lesotho, Natal and Transkei to the eastern Cape and more or less along the coast to the Peninsula and thence northwards to Clanwilliam district; found in a variety of habitats from mountain grassland, usually on sandstone formation, to dry woodland and coastal dune bush, and among rocks in fynbos. Map 28.

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