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Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus

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Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus
Scientific classification Edit this 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
  • Ballota pseudodictamnus (L.) Benth.
  • Beringeria pseudodictamnus (L.) Neck. ex Link
  • Marrubium pallidum Salisb.
  • Marrubium pseudodictamnus L.

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.

Taxonomy

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Several common names are attached to this plant, including false dittany, false divinity, and Greek horehound.[3]

Etymology

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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

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Flowering plant: Small pink and white flowers

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

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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

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In cultivation in the UK, this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder - Ballota pseudodictamnus". Royal Horticultural Society. 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus Salmaki & Siadati | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
  3. ^ "Ballota pseudodictamnus (BLLPS)[Overview]| EPPO Global Database". gd.eppo.int. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  4. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X.
  5. ^ "Ballota pseudodictamnus". perennials.com. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  6. ^ Springer., Ogden, Lauren (2000). Passionate gardening : good advice for challenging climates. Proctor, Rob. Golden, Colo.: Fulcrum Pub. ISBN 1555913482. OCLC 42580378.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Media related to Pseudodictamnus mediterraneus at Wikimedia Commons