In Greek, "sideritis" (Gr: σιδηρίτις) can be literally translated as "he who is made of iron".[6] The plant was known to ancient Greeks, specifically Pedanius Dioscorides and Theophrastus.[7] Although Dioscorides describes three species, only one (probably S. scordioides) is thought to belong to Sideritis. In ancient times "sideritis" was a generic reference for plants capable of healing wounds caused by iron weapons during battles. However, others hold that the name stems from the shape of the sepal, which resembles the tip of a spear.[3]
Taxonomy
Sideritis scardica
In 2002, molecular phylogenetic research found Sideritis and five other genera to be embedded in Stachys.[8] Further studies will be needed before Stachys, Sideritis, and their closest relatives can be revised.
Some schemes recognize and categorize up to 319 distinct species, subspecies, ecotypes, forms or cultivars, including:[9][3]
Botanists have encountered difficulties in naming and classifying the varieties of Sideritis due to their subtle differences. One particularly confusing case is that of S. angustifolia Lagasca and S. tragoriganum Lagasca.[11]
Botany
The genus is composed of short (8–50cm), xerophyticsubshrubs or herbs, annual or perennial, that grow at high elevation (usually over 1000 m) with little or no soil, often on the surface of rocks.[2][5][12][13]
It is pubescent, either villous or coated by a fine, woolly layer of microscopic intertwined hairs.
In Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Turkey, Sideritis scardica, Sideritis clandestina, Sideritis syriaca, Sideritis perfoliata and various other species from the section Empedoclia are used as herbs either for the preparation of herbal teas, or for their aromatic properties in local cuisines. The herbal tea is commonly prepared by decoction, by boiling the stems, leaves and flowers in a pot of water, then often serving with honey and lemon.
Some plants in the genus have a history of use in traditional herbal medicine.[14] Research into the potential effects has taken place in universities in the Netherlands and in the southern Balkans where the plant is indigenous.[15]
Sideritis raeseri is the most commonly cultivated Sideritis in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and North Macedonia, where advanced hybrids also exist.[5] Planting is recommended during two periods (October–November or February–March in the Northern hemisphere) and gathering in July, when in full bloom. The plant is typically dried before usage.[17]
↑ Barber, Janet C. (2000). "Evolution of Endemic Sideritis (Lamiaceae) in Macaronesia: Insights from a Chloroplast DNA Restriction Site Analysis". Systematic Botany. 25 (4): 633–647. doi:10.2307/2666725. JSTOR2666725. S2CID86223380.
↑ Figuerola, R.; Stübing, G.; Peris, J. B. (1991). "Nomenclature and Typification of Sideritis angustifolia and S. tragoriganum (Lamiaceae, Spain)". Taxon. 40 (1): 123–9. doi:10.2307/1222936. JSTOR1222936.
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