Nepeta near rotundifolia Benth.: Aitchison in J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 18: 87. 1880.

I.C. Hedge

Differing from Nepeta floccose Benth. in the scale-like lowermost leaves (cataphylls), the short-petiolate cauline leaves, the gradual diminution in leaf size up the stem, the solitary terminal, oblong-ovoid inflorescence head and the lanceolate-subulate bracts which equal the calyx length.

Type: Pakistan/Afghanistan, Kurram, Mt Sikaram, 3600-4200 m, Aitchison 917 (holo. G; iso. K).

Distribution: Endemic.

Known only from the century-old cited specimen. Aitchison in his paper on the flora of the Kurram valley (l. c. 87) noted "Amongst broken debris, from 12000 to 14000 ft, Nepeta 917, Lamium [Alajja] rhomboideum [831] and Aster heterochaeta [A. flaccidus – 951] ... August ..” Although in leaf shape and indumentum and in calyx characters, Nepeta Kurramensis has clear similarities to Nepeta floccose (to which it was referred by Hedge & Lamond in Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 28: 105. 1968 and Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak. & Kashm. 621. 1972), the differences given above, combined with an apparent geographical discreteness, seem to support separation - though it should be noted as far as geography is concerned that several species such as the Lamium and Aster previously mentioned "jump" from Chitral to Mt Sikaram. Further material is needed to amplify the description and better assess its affinities.