Sorting our specimens of Leonurus cardiaca

[Gurcharan Singh]

THe greatest contribution of our Flora of British India has been that although identifications may be based on comparison with European (and other countries) plants (upper diagnostic part) the descriptions in lower part are based on description from actual Indian specimens.

Bentham in FBI has made it very clear that true L. cardiaca L. (leaves cordate-ovate serrate or lacerate, pubescent or villous beneath) beneath is not recorded from India, and our specimens may belong two any of these two species. then recorded as varieties)

L. pubescens Benth. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, coarsely serrate, finely pubescent.

L. royleanus Benth. leaves ovate-lanceolate, rhomboid, orbicular or obovate, base rounded or cordate, pinnatifidly cut, white tomentose beneath.

Luckily I have been lucky to photograph true L. cardiaca L. from two places in Canada and one place in California. These have broadly ovate cordate leaves (mostly lower) and leaves glabrous above. 

This should help in placing our Indian specimens

Here are pictures captured from Ratray Marsh, Mississauga, Canada

 

Dr. Gurcharan Singh

Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.

https://www.gurcharanfamily.com/

[Gurcharan Singh]

One more image

Dr. Gurcharan Singh

Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.

https://www.gurcharanfamily.com/

[Gurcharan Singh]

one more image

Dr. Gurcharan Singh

Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.

https://www.gurcharanfamily.com/