On two species of Dracocephalum L. (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

A composition of taxa included in Dracocephalum imberbe Bunge s. l. is discussed. Species rank of D. laniflorum Rupr. is reinstated based on the following characters: underground part is represented by a system of branching rhizomes, bracts absent, calyx 12–14 mm long, with triangular or narrowly triangular, pointless teeth, the middle tooth of the upper lip up to 1.5 times wider than the lateral ones and plant being nearly scentless. In contrast, in D. imberbeunderground part is represented by the taproot and developed branches of the caudex, bracts present, with well-developed non-rigid points, calyx 15–18 mm long, with lanceolate or narrowly triangular pointed (though not rigid) teeth, the middle tooth of the upper lip 1.5–2 times wider than the lateral ones, the presence of a smell that persists in herbarium specimens. Dracocephalum laniflorum is firstly reported for flora of Kazakhstan (Almaty Region) and China(Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region) based on the study of herbarium materials stored in AA and LE, as well as scanned herbarium specimens stored in MW, HNWP and PE, which were available through the Moscow Digital Herbarium and Chinese Virtual Herbarium (CVH) systems.