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.
| 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 | |
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