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Leucas decemdentata (Forst. f.) Sm. [ Lamiaceae ]

Taxonomy Reports: ITIS | IPNI | IOPI

Samoan Name:
English Name:
Status: Indigenous
Habit: Herb

Whistler 3831

Whistler 7705

Whistler 7910

Whistler 9258

Indigenous or a Polynesian introduction to American Samoa, ranging from tropical Asia to the Society Islands. This small herb was probably weedy in pre-European times but is now rare because of its inability to compete with more-recently introduced weeds. It occurs in sunny rocky coastal areas, such as streambeds, reported from near sea level to 150 m elevation. The herb has been recorded from Savai‘i and ‘Upolu in independent Samoa, and Ofu, and Ta‘ū in American Samoa, but has possibly now been extirpated from the former, where it hasn‘t been collected in over 60 years. It is perhaps more common in eastern part of it range, i.e., Asia. Possibly once called ogoogo sina in Samoan, and formerly used in native remedies. It is doubtful in anybody still knows this plant in Samoa.

Herb up to 40 cm or more in height, with weak, pubescent, 4-angled stems. Leaves simple, alternate, blade ovate, 2.5–3.5 cm long, acute to rounded and slightly oblique at the base, broadly acute at the tip; surfaces light green, finely pubescent; margins crenate; petiole 9–11 mm long. Inflorescence of 5–8-flowered axillary verticils borne on the rachis. Calyx campanulate, 4.5–6 mm long, pubescent, 10-ribbed, ribs extending into 10 linear teeth on top, on a pedicel 1–2 mm long. Corolla sympetalous, bilabiate, white, tube ca. 7 mm long, lower lip reflexed, pubescent, 3–4 mm long, lower lip 6–7 mm long, 3-lobed at the tip with an additional pair of lateral lobes. Ovary superior, deeply 4-lobed, style 2-lobed at the tip. Stamens 4, epipetalous, enclosed within the lower lip. Fruit comprising 4 dark, oblong nutlets ca. 1.5 mm long, enclosed within and falling free of the membranous calyx. Fruiting and flowering occur continuously.

Distinguishable by its herbaceous habit; square (in cross-section) stems; opposite, toothed, ovate leaves; axillary whorls of flowers; white, 2-lipped corolla; and fruit of 4-nutlets enclosed within the membranous, 10-toothed calyx.

OFU:
176. Whistler 3831—Nu‘upule Rock just south of the village.
177. Whistler 9258—At mouth of Tufu Stream just south of the village.

TA‘Ū:
178. Garber 594—Sani Ridge back of Fitiuta, 150 m elevation. (This location was not found on any available maps.)
179. Yuncker 9028—Sandy soil near beach south of Si‘ufaga.
180. Harris 36—On lava cliff at Luma (in 1938).
181. Harris 93—On lava cliff at Luma.
182. Harris 378—On lava cliff at Luma.
183. Whistler 7705—Locally common just below lower Laufuti falls, ca. 20 m elevation.
184. Whistler 7910—Along a stream along the north coast between Faga and ‘Au‘auli.

Other Samoan Collections: SAVAII: (3). UPOLU: (4). WITHOUT FURTHER LOCALITY: (3).

Other Collections:

Georeference: -14.315569, -170.701986

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