Ajuga pyramidalis
| Ajuga pyramidalis | |
|---|---|
.JPG) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Ajuga |
| Species: | A. pyramidalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Ajuga pyramidalis L. | |
Ajuga pyramidalis, commonly known as pyramidal bugle,[1] is a flowering plant of the genus Ajuga in the family Lamiaceae. It is a native plant in Europe.
Description
Pyramidal bugle is a perennial, herbaceous plant growing from about 5 to 20 cm (2 to 8 in) tall. At the base there is a rosette of stalked leaves which are significantly larger than the stem leaves. The stiff upright hairy stem is square and bears simple leaves growing in opposite pairs. They are ovate, hairy above and below and have a slightly wavy edge. The inflorescence has leaf-like bracts subtending the individual flowers. The bracts gradually get smaller towards the tip of the inflorescence, are always longer than the flowers and the upper ones are often tinged purple. The inflorescence forms a pyramid-shaped terminal spike and is formed of axillary whorls. The calyx of each flower is five-lobed, the bluish-violet corolla has a long tube and is fused, with two lips. The upper lip is very short and the lower lip is three-lobed. There are four stamens, two long and two short. The gynoecium is formed of two fused carpels and the fruit is a four-chambered schizocarp. The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic. The flowers produce nectar to attract pollinators which are bumblebees and butterflies.[2]
The flowering time extends from June to August. The chromosome number is 2n = 32
Ecology
The bracts in the inflorescence form effective shelters for the flowers from rain, their red-violet color enhances the signal effect of the flowers. The shaggy hairiness of the calyx protects the flower against small, crawling insects. The nectar is additionally secured by a stiff, upturned hair ring.
The fruits with fleshy, oily appendages (elaiosomes) are taken by ants, so uneven appearance in different communities.
Occurrence
It is found mainly in the Central and Southern Alps, but also in the mountains of southern and northern Europe and the Caucasus. The pyramid bugle is typical of silicate rock-poor grassland, it is a characteristic species of the order Nardetalia. In the Alps, it grows at altitudes of up to 2,700 m (8,858 ft). It is typically found in dry meadows, pasture, rough places, forest margins and woods.[2]
Medicinal Plant
The pyramid bugle is an old medicinal plant that is used for wound treatment and for metabolic disorders.
References
- ↑ "BSBI List 2007" (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Pyramidal Bugle: Ajuga pyramidalis". NatureGate. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
Xaver Finkenzeller: Alpenblumen, München 2003, ISBN 3-576-11482-3 M. A. Fischer, W. Adler & K Oswald.: Exkursionsflora für Österreich, Liechtenstein und Südtirol, Linz, 2005, ISBN 3-85474-140-5 Erich Oberdorfer: Pflanzensoziologische Exkursionsflora für Deutschland und angrenzende Gebiete. 8 Auflage. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 2001. ISBN 3-8001-3131-5
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