Dracocephalum wallichii Sealy

A widespread species in the Himalaya where it is extremely variable. This and the following eight species (21–29) are all clearly related and not always readily distinguishable.

Rhizomes with robust, fibrous roots. Stems erect or ascending, 24-50 cm, sparsely pubescent basally, densely retrorse pubescent at apex, with 2-4 nodes below dense spikes. Petiole of basal leaves 4.5-9(-22.5) cm, that of cauline leaves as long as blade to sometimes absent; leaf blade ovate to broadly ovate, 2-5.5(-7) × 1.5-4.2(-7) cm, adaxially sparsely pubescent or glabrous, abaxially densely pubescent or occasionally glabrous throughout, base cordate, apex rounded to obtuse. Verticillasters in terminal capitula or interrupted spikes 3-3.5 cm; floral leaves sessile, ovate; bracts green-purple, purple-black veined, rhombic-obovate to oblate, as long as calyx, margin acute or short spinescent to 3-6-serrate, veins and margin densely villous. Calyx 1.4-1.7 cm, conspicuously purple veined at base, tinged purple black at apex, villous, ciliate, 2-lipped 1/3-1/2 its length; upper lip middle tooth obovate to ovate, slightly wider to 2 × as wide as lateral teeth, margin entire to serrulate, apex short acuminate; lateral teeth of upper lip ovate-triangular, apex acute; lower lip teeth lanceolate. Corolla dark purple, 2-3 cm, pubescent, tube 3-6 mm wide; upper lip navicular, ca. 5 mm; lower lip spreading, with dark spots, 3-lobed; middle lobe of lower lip obovate, apex emarginate. Nutlets dark brown, elliptic-obovoid, flattened, ca. 3.5 mm. Fl. Jul-Sep.

Himalaya (Garhwal to Bhutan), Tibet, China.

Sichuan, Xizang

3000-5000 m

* Alpine shrubland margins, meadows, thicket margins; 4000-4700 m.