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Mesosphaerum pectinatum

(L.) Kuntze (1891)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Mesosphaerum

comb hyptis

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Erect, aromatic perennial herbs, up to 2 m.

Stems: Stems angular, 5–25 dm long, glabrous to pubescent.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades ovate or elliptic, 2–3(–11) cm long, 1–1.5 cm wide. Apex acute to acuminate. Base rounded to truncate. Upper surfaces glabrous or nearly so; lower surfaces sparsely to densely tomentose and glaucous. Margins crenate to serrate. Petioles 0.5–1(–5) cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers 6–15 in comb–shaped cymes, these arranged in terminal dense, hairy inflorescences along the upper part of the stem; small pink, often hidden in wooly bracts. Calyx tubular, 2–2.5 mm long, enlarging to 3–4 mm long in fruit, tomentose, the teeth bristly, slightly longer than Calyx tube, the mouth densely ciliate. Corolla violet or bright or reddish purple, fading to cream–colored, 3–3.5 mm long, lower lip saccate. Stamens 4; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 2-carpellate, placentation basal-axile; ovules 1 per ovary lobe; style 1; stigmas 2.

Fruit: Nutlets black; oblong; 1.5–2 mm long; smooth.

Ploidy: 2n = 32

Habitat: Naturalized in low elevation; dry to mesic; disturbed habitats; especially roadsides; pastures; and abandoned fields.

Elevation Range: 0–390 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Other Animals

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 525 (1891)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:802 (K, O, M, H [as Hyptis pectinata]); Wysong et al. 2007:5 (Mo); Oppenheimer 2007:25 (L); Harley & Pastore 2012:32 (Syn. H. pectinata = M. pectinatum)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Puuwaawaa; 1986 burn area near highway 190 In Pennisetum grassland Preserved_Specimen 6' shrub, uncommon Takeuchi, W.N. 5722 Hawaii BISH 1989-12-26
2 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Hulopoe Occasional in waste areas. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 100639 Lanai BISH 2006-10-20
3 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Lower Nanawale Forest Reserve, lower road directly behind and scattered within U.S.F.S. species trials plantings Open to partial shade. Preserved_Specimen Plant height .8-1.0 m. Croft, L.K. 790010 Hawaii BISH 1979-02-02
4 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Lanai City, behind The Experience at Koele golf course. Near margins of wooded area along road Growing under Eucalyptus sp. Preserved_Specimen Naturalized. Starr, F. 7040310 Lanai BISH 2007-04-03
5 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Hilo District. From greenhouse sowing trays containing shipping container debris. Preserved_Specimen Herb ~128 cm. tall. Flowers ~1-1.5 mm. pale yellow with pink hues borne terminally and in leaf axils. Petioles bright pink or purple near plant base. Yanger, C. Hawaii BISH 2020-10-13
6 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Wailua, Wailua Homesteads, on Opaekaa Rd, just past Olu lane on E side of street in an empty lot and along roadside Growing w/ Citharexylum, Triumfetta semitriloba, Hyptis, Psidium cattleianum, Ficus lyrata, Spathodea campanulata, Stachytarpheta. Preserved_Specimen upright herb about 2 ft. tall. Square stem. Flowers white-cream color. Leaves dull green above w/ impressed venation and dull light green w/ raised veins below. Tangalin, N. 1287 Kauai BISH 2007-05-29
7 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Hanalei District. Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, East below Crater Hill, along the Nihoku Fenceline, near Plot P8 along road. Coastal Dry Shrublands with Pluchea, Lantana, and Non-native grasses. W/ weedy grasses dominated by Sporobolus and Digitaria insularis w/Pluchea carolinensis, Ipomea obscura, Plantago lanceolata, Sphagneticola trilobata, Schinus, Lantana, Syzygium cumini, Casuarina, Leu Preserved_Specimen Upright 3 ft. Square stem. Pungent smell. Leaves light white green below w/raised light green venation. Top of leaf dark dull green w/ impressed venation. Flowers clustered, 2 branched peduncle. Hint of purple to calyx points, recessed white flower. Base of plant w/ brn bark. Tangalin, N. 3418 Kauai BISH 2013-01-21
8 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Na Pali Coast, Hanakapiai Valley Single individual beside trail to back of valley in forest dominated by Pandanus and guava. Preserved_Specimen Individual, about 3' tall. Corn, C. 194 Kauai BISH 1980-04-11
9 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Keopukaloa, S of Honokoi Gulch Naturalized in pastures. Preserved_Specimen Erect herbs to 3m+ tall; flowers light pink. Oppenheimer, H.L. 110709 Molokai BISH 2007-11-06
10 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Universtiy of Hawaii, Manoa Stream Weedy waste place. Preserved_Specimen Brushy herb, up to 0.8 mm. tall; flowers whitish. Fosberg, F.R. 29650 Oahu BISH 1948-03-06
11 Mesosphaerum pectinatum around abandoned structures Preserved_Specimen Herbs to 1+ meter tall, sparingly branched. Oppenheimer, H.L. 112216 Lanai BISH 2022-11-30
12 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Honolulu District, Koko Head Introduced. Scattered in area between Nonoula and Ihiihilauakea Crater and a few in Ihiihilauakea Crater under Prosopis pallida. Preserved_Specimen Bruegmann, M.M. 115 Oahu BISH 1985-01-26
13 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Waimea District; North of Kekaha, just of Kekaha Rd on unnamed gravel road. Common weed of disturbed areas and along irrigation ditches in Kekaha. Preserved_Specimen Erect herb with a somewhat stiff, woody base; branches curved upward in a candelabra shape; mature leaves a medium, dull green, but new leaves are bright yellow-green; plant bearing numerous erect inflorescences/infructecenses; corollas light purple, calyxes persisting after maturation; seeds black, numerous Brock, K. 849 Kauai BISH 2016-06-14
14 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Tantalus Drive, Honolulu Dry roadside. Preserved_Specimen Erect br. herb to 1 m. Flowers brown. Common. Swarbrick, J.T. 78 Oahu BISH 1976-01-10
15 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Near UH-Hilo Coming up in lava in Waiakea stream bed. Preserved_Specimen Erect perennial herb, <2m height; foliage aromatic; flower cymes ca. 15 flowers per cyme, comb-shaped, secund, calyx ca. 3mm long, ciliate, symmetrical. Starr, F. 108013 Hawaii BISH 2001-08-01
16 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Hilo District. From greenhouse sowing trays containing shipping container debris. Preserved_Specimen Slender herb ~32 cm. tall. Flowers ~1.-1.5 mm. pale yellow with pink hues borne in leaf axils. Plant with fine hairs along leaf stems and clustered neara leaf axils. Yanger, C. Hawaii BISH 2021-01-04
17 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Kava Bay pasture grass Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 108 Hawaii BISH 1990-04-23
18 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Kaluakoi Rd Scattered patches on side of road and in nearby pasture. Vegetation: Hyparrhenia spp., Grevillea robusta. Preserved_Specimen Vegetation type: Roadside, scrub, dry. Habit: shrub/herb; locally abundant. Starr, F. 505166 Molokai BISH 2005-05-16
19 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Puuwaawaa; 1986 burn area near highway 190 In Pennisetum grassland Preserved_Specimen 6' shrub, uncommon Takeuchi, W.N. 5722 Hawaii BISH 1989-12-26
20 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Kawaiaho St Along fence with other weeds Preserved_Specimen Well branched herb becoming woody at base. To almost 3m tall Faccenda, K. 1658 Oahu BISH 2020-08-12
21 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Manoa Stream, University of Hawaii, Honolulu weedy waste place Preserved_Specimen bushy herb, up to 0.8 m. tall; flowers whitish. Fosberg, F.R. 29650 Oahu BISH 1948-05-06
22 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Honolulu, SW. end of Waahila Ridge Dry rocky slope. Preserved_Specimen Mäkinen, L. 65303 Oahu BISH 1965-11-25
23 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Keopukaloa, S of Honokoi Gulch Naturalized in pastures. Preserved_Specimen Erect herbs to 3m+ tall; flowers light pink. Oppenheimer, H.L. 110709 Molokai BISH 2007-11-06
24 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Waianae Range; Makua Keaau Forest Reserve Lowland mesic forest Preserved_Specimen Annable, C.R. 3081 Oahu BISH 1996-10-25
25 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Growing along Round Top Drive near junction with Maunaloha Rd Associated with Amaranthus, grasses. Preserved_Specimen Weed to 3 feet in height. Ishikawa, S. 311 Oahu BISH 1973-10-09
26 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Dole St. Base of Wa'ahila ridge From crack in exposed rock Preserved_Specimen ca 5 individuals. Woody at base, up to 1m tall Faccenda, K. 1724 Oahu BISH 2021-02-12
27 Mesosphaerum pectinatum East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, Along Honomaele Stream on the Garden's eastern boundary. Disturbed area subject to frequent inundation by flood waters Preserved_Specimen Herb of three ft. Corolla pale yellowish-green. Flynn, T.W. 2451 Maui BISH 1987-10-15
28 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Woods near Koele In open area of Eucalyptus plantings. Preserved_Specimen Weed. Oppenheimer, H.L. 120649 Lanai BISH 2006-12-21
29 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Waimea District. Puu Ka Pele Forest Reserve. Kaaweki Ridge Preserved_Specimen Herb of four ft. on north side of ridge near Wilkesia hobdyi population. Not uncommon. With Bidens, Lantana and Leucaena. Flynn, T.W. 2019 Kauai BISH 1986-12-16
30 Mesosphaerum pectinatum On path to water tank near Kapaula Heiau, Polihale Preserved_Specimen Herb to 60 cm. tall. Stem pale green with purplish cast. Leaves: petiole pale yellowish-green; blade above medium green, slightly glossy, below much paler, dull. Leaves with strong mint odor. Flowers tiny, very few open in inforescence; petals pale green with slight purplish cast, saccate lip pale lavender; pistill dark purple; pollen bright yellow. Hume, L. 285 Kauai BISH 1988-01-17
31 Mesosphaerum pectinatum W Maui, along highway, Makamakaole Gulch Preserved_Specimen A large loosely branching shrub growing in molasses grass by roadside. Flowers tiny, pale purple. Hobdy, R.W. 1734 Maui BISH 1983-01-27
32 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Waimea District: W. end of Kaaweiki Ridge Road; dry shrubland on steep slope, with Leucaena leucocephala and scattered native shrubs including Dodonaea and Myoporum, many alien herb species, alt. ca. 350 m Preserved_Specimen Annual herb 1-1.5 m tall. Corolla bluish white. Foliage with faint aromatic odor. Locally abundant, naturalized. Lorence, D.H. 6315 Kauai BISH 1989-01-02
33 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Honolulu, Ward St., Old plantation, in bulldozed, turned-over soil Preserved_Specimen Herb 2 ft high. Pearsall, G.A. 479 Oahu BISH 1960-02-17
34 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Vicinity of Puu O Hoku Preserved_Specimen Shrubs to 2m tall. Oppenheimer, H.L. 120635 Molokai BISH 2006-12-10
35 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Kalaupapa; Kauhako crater, SW zone Preserved_Specimen erect aromatic perennial herb Wysong, M.L. 498 Molokai BISH 2004-12-07
36 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Waimea Arboretum Preserved_Specimen A diffuse shrub 1.5 m tall. In partial shade. Lau, J. 2584 Oahu BISH 1986-06-30
37 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Kuamoo road (Hwy 58), Wailua. Common along road cuts Preserved_Specimen Shrubby weed of five feet. Flynn, T.W. 1731 Kauai BISH 1986-05-14
38 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Honolulu District: Koko Head Introduced. Scattered in area between Nonoula and Ihiihilauakea Craters and a few in Ihiihilauakea Crater under Prosopis pallida. Preserved_Specimen Bruegmann, M.M. 115 Oahu BISH 1985-01-17
39 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Volcano Road just below Olaa. Occurrence: Occasional along roadside, base of cindery road-cut in lava flow Preserved_Specimen Herb, branched from base, a number of stems to 2 m tall, many slender branches, paniculate above. Fosberg, F.R. 55646 Hawaii BISH 1975-03-14
40 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Manoa Campus, Univ. Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Br. soft herb; 0.6m Flowers pink-white. Common. Ruderal. Swarbrick, J.T. 13 Oahu BISH 1976-01-03
41 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Lyon Arboretum. On makai side of access road, between section 28 turnaround and section 9 trail. Site: Below section 28 Growing in open sun on raised ridge of soil between road and dropoff. Preserved_Specimen Baker, R.F. 69 Oahu BISH 1975-04-11
42 Mesosphaerum pectinatum West slope of Ulupau Head, along abandoned road Preserved_Specimen Erect branched shrub 1 m tall, unpleasantly aromatic Fosberg, F.R. 58850 Oahu BISH 1978-12-10
43 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Captain Cook; Preserved_Specimen Herb, about 8 ft. tall, becoming woody at base. Herbst, D.R. 5392 Hawaii BISH 1975-06-26
44 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Honolulu, Lyon Arboretum, on makai side of access road, between Section 28 turnaround and Section 9 trail. Growing in open sun on raised ridge of soil between road and dropoff. Site:below Section 28 Preserved_Specimen Flowers light purplish. Baker, R.F. 69 Oahu BISH 1975-04-11
45 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Huehue Ranch Preserved_Specimen weed St.John, H. Hawaii BISH 1968-02-25
46 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Kawaihau District. CTAHR Property Farm. Preserved_Specimen Jablonski, J. 93 Kauai BISH 2023-12-04
47 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Hilo, Hawaii. Vacant lot near veterinary clinic, fruit off Maiulauo dog's hair? Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 35722 Hawaii BISH 1983-04-06
48 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Huehue Ranch Preserved_Specimen Weed. Degener, O. 31136 Hawaii BISH 1966-12-19
49 Mesosphaerum pectinatum ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District Preserved_Specimen Croft, L.K. 790010 Hawaii BISH 1979-02-02
50 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Honolulu, Manoa hill, by Punahou wall Preserved_Specimen Swezey, O.H. 254 Oahu BISH 1942-05-01
51 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Honolulu, 1930 Ualakaa Street, Residence of G.P.Wilder Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1931-03-05
52 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Near Roosevelt School, Honolulu,T.H Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10842 Oahu BISH 1935-06-15
53 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Honolulu, 2064 Makiki St., by pathway at the home of G.C. Munro Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 24 Oahu BISH 1942-10-26
54 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Nokukano Development Site makai of the belt road in Capt. Cook, Hawaii. Near the entry road and along the intermittant stream Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Hawaii BISH 1991-11-01
55 Mesosphaerum pectinatum Honolulu, Manoa hill by Punahou Wall Preserved_Specimen Swezey, O.H. Oahu BISH 1942-05-01
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