FOR VALIDATION :: ¿ Pogostemon speciosus Benth. ? :: The Nilgiris :: Jan 28, 2026 · 2:18 PM IST

[Dinesh Valke]

FOR VALIDATION :: ¿ Pogostemon speciosus Benth. ? The Nilgiris :: Jan 28, 2026 · 2:18 PM IST Kodapamund, about 2415 m asl

Regards. Dinesh

[Saroj Kasaju]

Pogostemon wightii Benth. ??

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

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[Dinesh Valke]

Many many thanks Saroj ji.

I am not able to sort the differences among the two species.

I am going to post later (it may take a day or two) another observation which I think could be Pogostemon wightii Benth.

We will wait for someone to validate our thoughts.

Regards.

Dinesh

[Saroj Kasaju]

OK Dinesh Ji.

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[J.M. Garg]

Both are quite close.
Dinesh ji, may decide based on the following differences as per Google AI view:

Pogostemon wightii and Pogostemon speciosus are both aromatic, endemic species of the Lamiaceae family found in the Southern Western Ghats of India. They are similar in appearance and habitat, frequently found in high-altitude Shola forests (around 1,000–2,200m). 

ScienceDirect.com +2

The key differences lie in their habit (size/growth form), specific floral characteristics, and leaf texture. 

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Pogostemon wightii Benth.	Pogostemon speciosus Benth.
Growth Habit	Small shrub or herb (sometimes subshrub)	Shrub, up to 2 m tall
Stem/Branching	Quadrangular, strigose (stiff, appressed hairs)	Pilose-hispid (hairy) brown branches
Leaf Features	Densely strigose, 5-6 cm long, ovate	Hirsute, 3-8 cm long, ovate/orbicular, turn black when dry
Inflorescence	4-8 cm long spikes, continuous	Often described as having "bottlebrush" appearance
Stamens	Bearded filaments	Lacks moniliform hairs on filaments
Nutlets	Biconvex to triangular, smooth, brown	Suborbicular, blackish, 1 mm long

Detailed Breakdown

• Pogostemon wightii:
  • Description: A small, delicate shrub or herb, often found along stream sides or in marshy spots within Shola forests.
  • Appearance: Leaves are smaller (5-6 x 3-4 cm) and intensely hairy (strigose).
  • Flowering: Occurs in December-January.
  • Distinctive Feature: Filaments (stamens) are bearded.
• Pogostemon speciosus:
  • Description: A more robust shrub, growing up to 2 meters, common on rocky slopes and degraded areas of the Nilgiri and Anamalai hills.
  • Appearance: Leaves are larger and hairy, with the unique characteristic of turning black when dry.
  • Flowering: Occurs from January to February.
  • Distinctive Feature: Leaves and stem turn blackish when dried, and the stamens are very long, giving a "bottlebrush" appearance. 
    ScienceDirect.com +4

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With regards,
J.M.Garg, 
https://efloraofindia.com/

[Dinesh Valke]

Many thanks Garg ji.

I have suggested my IDs for observations of Pogostemon speciosus and Pogostemon wightii, purely on the basis of their inflorescence. 

I have put my thoughts here: https://groups.google.com/g/indiantreepix/c/W8MhAa8LVZs/m/vaOd7YyxBgAJ

This posted plant is thus Pogostemon speciosus Benth. to me.

Regards.

Dinesh