Elsholtzia kachinensis Prain. (Lamiaceae)

Scientific name
Elsholtzia kachinensis Prain.
Family name
Lamiaceae (Syn. Labiatae)
Local name
Pak luean
Slender herb, prostrate, diffuse, 10–40 cm tall. Leaves opposite, simple, blade ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 1–3.5 × 0.5–2 cm, sparsely pilose, midrib adaxially puberulous, base broadly cuneate, margin crenate-serrate above base, apex acute to obtuse. Petiole 3–16 mm. Inflorescence a spike-like panicle, ovoid in flower, 1.5–2.5 × 2 cm, cylindrical in fruit; lateral branches dense, pilose, secund, bearing 4–6 flowers; bracts broadly ovate, 3–4 × 4–5 mm, adaxially glabrous, margin entire, ciliate, apex subulate-mucronate. Pedicel c. 0.5 mm. Calyx tubular, c. 1.5 mm, with glandular hairs outside; teeth subequal, lanceolate-triangular, nearly as long as calyx tube, apex spinescent. Corolla white to purple, c. 7 mm, hairy outside, glabrous inside, throat c. 2 mm wide; upper labellum emarginate; lower labellum more or less patent, middle lobes entire or emarginate; lateral lobes semicircular, margin entire. Stamens much exserted. Style as long as stamen. Fruit a nutlet, chestnut brown, oblong, hairy.
Traditional medicinal use
Functionality
Functional constituents
Commonly found on riverbanks or in forests, valleys, and wet areas, at elevations above 1,200 m. a.s.l. Young shoots are available year-round. Occasionally propagated through cutting by indigenous peoples for its aromatic leaves.
Leaves
Leaves