Many thanks Garg ji. I have suggested my IDs for observations of *Pogostemon speciosus* and *Pogostemon wightii*, purely on the basis of their inflorescence. I have put my thoughts here: https://groups.google.com/g/indiantreepix/c/W8MhAa8LVZs/m/vaOd7YyxBgAJ
This posted plant is thus *Pogostemon speciosus* Benth. to me. Regards. Dinesh On Wed, Feb 25, 2026 at 3:48 PM J.M. Garg <[email protected]> wrote: > Both are quite close. > Dinesh ji, may decide based on the following differences as per Google AI > view: > *Pogostemon wightii* and *Pogostemon speciosus* are both aromatic, > endemic species of the Lamiaceae family found in the Southern Western Ghats > of India. They are similar in appearance and habitat, frequently found in > high-altitude Shola forests (around 1,000–2,200m). > [image: ScienceDirect.com]ScienceDirect.com +2 > The key differences lie in their habit (size/growth form), specific floral > characteristics, and leaf texture. > Key Differences at a Glance > Feature *Pogostemon wightii* Benth. *Pogostemon speciosus* Benth. > Growth Habit Small shrub or herb (sometimes subshrub) Shrub, up to 2 m > tall > Stem/Branching Quadrangular, strigose (stiff, appressed hairs) Pilose-hispid > (hairy) brown branches > Leaf Features Densely strigose, 5-6 cm long, ovate Hirsute, 3-8 cm long, > ovate/orbicular, turn black when dry > Inflorescence 4-8 cm long spikes, continuous Often described as having > "bottlebrush" appearance > Stamens Bearded filaments Lacks moniliform hairs on filaments > Nutlets Biconvex to triangular, smooth, brown Suborbicular, blackish, 1 > mm long > Detailed Breakdown > > - Pogostemon wightii: > - Description: A small, delicate shrub or herb, often found along > stream sides or in marshy spots within Shola forests. > - Appearance: Leaves are smaller (5-6 x 3-4 cm) and intensely hairy > (strigose). > - Flowering: Occurs in December-January. > - Distinctive Feature: Filaments (stamens) are bearded. > - Pogostemon speciosus: > - Description: A more robust shrub, growing up to 2 meters, common > on rocky slopes and degraded areas of the Nilgiri and Anamalai hills. > - Appearance: Leaves are larger and hairy, with the unique > characteristic of turning black when dry. > - Flowering: Occurs from January to February. > - Distinctive Feature: Leaves and stem turn blackish when dried, > and the stamens are very long, giving a "bottlebrush" appearance. > [image: ScienceDirect.com]ScienceDirect.com +4 > > > > On Sat, 14 Feb 2026 at 12:18, Dinesh Valke <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Many many thanks Saroj ji. >> I am not able to sort the differences among the two species. >> I am going to post later (it may take a day or two) another observation >> which I think could be *Pogostemon wightii *Benth. >> We will wait for someone to validate our thoughts. >> Regards. >> Dinesh >> >> On Sat, Feb 14, 2026 at 11:17 AM Saroj Kasaju <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> *Pogostemon wightii *Benth. ?? >>> >>> Thank you. >>> >>> Saroj Kasaju >>> >>> >>> On Fri, Feb 13, 2026 at 9:32 PM Dinesh Valke <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> *FOR VALIDATION ::* >>>> ¿ *Pogostemon speciosus* Benth. ? >>>> The Nilgiris :: Jan 28, 2026 · 2:18 PM IST >>>> Kodapamund, about 2415 m asl >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> [image: ¿ Pogostemon speciosus Benth. ?] >>>> <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/338444453> >>>> [image: ¿ Pogostemon speciosus Benth. ?] >>>> <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/338444453> >>>> [image: ¿ Pogostemon speciosus Benth. ?] >>>> <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/338444453> >>>> Regards. >>>> Dinesh >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "eFloraofIndia" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>> To view this discussion, visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/CABSQqC20TVxptsLCgEAdkfZkBXH9LF1iEf8bk%3D7OGrLAOG0FDA%40mail.gmail.com >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/CABSQqC20TVxptsLCgEAdkfZkBXH9LF1iEf8bk%3D7OGrLAOG0FDA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> > > -- > With regards, > J.M.Garg, > https://efloraofindia.com/ > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "eFloraofIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/CABSQqC3urQ3Tp8gwzOgfchihpuWbAwEr%3DF16tOmmjoamWJdBng%40mail.gmail.com.
