Abstract
Variability among populations of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. subsp. bungeana (Juz.) was analyzed, to evaluate the level and distribution of differentiation among four distant populations from sub-humid, upper semi-arid and semi-arid bioclimates of Khorasan provinces, Iran. Analyses of variances and cluster analysis have been carried out to define the variability and significance of morphological differentiation. Morphological differentiation was correlated with ecological situations at the location of origination and a high variation among populations based on morphological traits was observed between the plants belonging to semi-arid populations vs. the sub-humid ones. Essential oil composition varied among populations. In all of the populations pulegone was the main component, followed by isomentone and thymol. The clustering, based on oil analysis generated two distinct clusters. Essential oils of the upper semi-arid and sub-humid populations were rich in Iso-menthone, while populations from the semi-arid bioclimate were characterized by high amounts of pulegone. The relatively low morpho-chemical diversity in the populations of Z. clinopodioides indicates that the maintenance of their evolutionary potential is at risk if population sizes are not maintained and if there is no protection of the habitats.
Highlights
The genus Ziziphora belongs to the Lamiaceae includes four species (Z. clinopodioides Lam., Z. tenuior L., Z. persica Bunge and Z. capitata L.) and has a broad distribution all over Iran (Mozaffarian, 1996)
The present study revealed a significant difference in diversity between different population of Z. clinopodioides according to chemical and morphology analyses
Z. clinopodioides samples were clustered in 2 sub-groups characterized by 2 essential oil chemical compositions and an important morphological difference
Summary
The genus Ziziphora belongs to the Lamiaceae includes four species (Z. clinopodioides Lam., Z. tenuior L., Z. persica Bunge and Z. capitata L.) and has a broad distribution all over Iran (Mozaffarian, 1996). Blue Mint Bush with the scientific name of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam., locally known as “kakuti-e kuhi” grows wild in Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Iraq (Sardashti et al, 2012; Schulz et al, 2005). This species is an edible medicinal plant which the dried aerial parts, leaves, flowers and stem of the plant are used for production of tea, condiments or additive in foods and yogurt and other dairy products to offer aroma and flavor (Meral et al, 2002; Ozturk and Ercisli, 2007; Zargari, 1993). In folklore of Iran, this plant have been often used as culinary and for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and common cold (Naghibi et al, 2005)
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