I.C. Hedge

A weakly defined species, closely related to Nepeta nervosa but with a longer slenderer spike often interrupted near the base and oblong-lanceolate leaves c. 25-50 x 12-20 mm.

Holotype: Kashmir, Jacquemont (P - n. v.).

Distribution: Kashmir, NW India?.

Field observations in Kashmir are needed to determine whether or not this is merely a variant of the preceding species. Bentham in the original description said that Nepeta campestris had the leaves of Nepeta nervosa and the inflorescence of Nepeta spicata (=Nepeta laevigata). It may be of relevance to note that all 3 species are recorded from similar regions of Kashmir and the possibility of hybridization/introgression among them should be borne in mind. Although I have not seen the Paris holotype of Nepeta campestris, the cited Jacquemont Kew specimens (which may be duplicates of the type) are scarcely different from Nepeta nervosa. Most published records of Nepeta campestris (e.g. Stewart, l.c.) from Kashmir seem to be based on misidentifications of Nepeta laevigata.