| Dracocephalum rupestre | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Dracocephalum |
| Species: | D. rupestre |
| Binomial name | |
| Dracocephalum rupestre | |
Dracocephalum rupestre is a plant species in the genus Dracocephalum , endemic to China. [2] [3] The specific epithet, "rupestre", is derived from Latin, and pertains to the plant growing among rocks.[ citation needed ]
Dracocephalum rupestre is a rhizomatous herb having numerous purplish, upwards-rising and unbranching stems (15–42 cm) scantily covered in backward-pointing hairs. Triangular-ovate, sparsely villous leaves (1.4–5.5 × 1.2–4.5 cm) are numerous. Inflorescences are verticillastrate with bluish-purple petalled flowers. [4] Flowering period is from July–September. [4]
The habitats of Dracocephalum rupestre are mountain meadows and slopes, or areas of thinning forest where more sun reaches the surface, at elevations between 700 and 3100 meters. [4] They are native to China; occurring in Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Qinghai, and Shanxi provinces. [4] [5]
People in Hebei and Shanxi have used Dracocephalum rupestre as a tea substitute, and in gardens for their showy flowers. [4]
