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 wightii* Benth. to me. The first photo clearly shows the inflorescence rachis. Regards. Dinesh On Wed, Feb 25, 2026 at 3:49 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 Wed, 25 Feb 2026 at 14:03, Dinesh Valke <[email protected]> wrote: > >> >> *FOR VALIDATION ::* >> ¿ *Pogostemon wightii* Benth. ? >> The Nilgiris :: Jan 29, 2026 · 11:39 AM IST >> Naduvattam, about 1855 m asl >> ------------------------------ >> [image: ¿ Pogostemon wightii Benth. ?] >> <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/340136342> >> [image: ¿ Pogostemon wightii Benth. ?] >> <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/340136342> >> [image: ¿ Pogostemon wightii Benth. ?] >> <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/340136342> >> [image: ¿ Pogostemon wightii Benth. ?] >> <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/340136342> >> 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/CABSQqC3aoDu39%3DEMhrAU5j%2Bu8nz6oZQLKx5dEkSkg96vuP3LeA%40mail.gmail.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/CABSQqC3aoDu39%3DEMhrAU5j%2Bu8nz6oZQLKx5dEkSkg96vuP3LeA%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/CABSQqC1DDsH_FOijHcExBh2hpw9n4hQB5RsgeZNDKRhDahqN8g%40mail.gmail.com.
