Abstract

SCANDALIARIS, Melina; FUENTES, E.  and  LOVEY, R. J.. Two species of Lamiáceas commercialized in Córdoba (Argentina) as "Peperina". Multequina [online]. 2007, vol.16, n.1, pp.73-81. ISSN 1852-7329.

"Peperina" Minthostachys mollis (Kunth) Griseb. (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic subshrub, natural from South América (Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Northwest and center of Argentina), which is found between 500 and 3500 m. The infusion of its leaves and flowers is commonly used as antispasmodic, antidysenteric, antiemetic, antirheumatic, carminative, among other uses. This species was introduced in the forest nursery market of Argentina and Córdoba in particular to be commercialized in flowerpots. An "exotic peperina", Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi subsp. Nepeta (Lamiaceae), herbaceous perennial, original from the Mediterranean basin is commercialized with the same purpose and under the same vernacular name. These taxa of similar fragrance share chemical compounds such as menthol, pulegone and piperitone, but differ in their morphological characters. The purpose of this paper is to bring out vegetative and reproductive diagnostic characters useful to recognize and individualize both species. The most noteworthy differences were observed in the blade shapes and foliar borders, in the size, color and shapes of the corolla, and in the number of flowers per inflorescence. This characters are illustrated by diagrams and photographs with easy interpretation references.

Keywords : Peperina; Minthostachys mollis; Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta.

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