Ajuga turkestanica
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ajuga turkestanica is a herbaceous flowering plant native to Tajikistan.[1] It was first described in 1894.[1]
| Ajuga turkestanica | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Ajuga |
| Species: | A. turkestanica |
| Binomial name | |
| Ajuga turkestanica | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
A. turkestanica is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching heights between 40 and 60 cm.[1] The plant is typically found in populations between 10 and 300, and appear more frequent within Artemisia complexes. The leaves are an elliptical oblong shape, straight-edged and with a pointed tip. It will flower between May and June. The flowers are small and located within the axil of two leaves. The fruit consists of four nuts, a characteristic of the Lamiaceae family, and emerges by the end of May.[citation needed]
Distribution
A. turkestanica is native to the Pamir-Alay mountain ranges of Central Asia, notably within Tajikistan.[1] It grows in rocky clay conditions up to elevations of approximately 2,500 m (8,200 ft).[citation needed]
Uses
Although A. turkestanica, alongside many other Ajuga species, is claimed to have uses in folk medicine,[2][3] there is no clinical evidence that A. turkestanica compounds have effects as a therapeutic in humans. An extract of A. turkestanica may be used as an ingredient in a topical skin cream.[4]
Extracts of A. turkestanica are marketed on the Internet with the presumption they are useful as bodybuilding supplements.[5] A. turkestanica contains ecdysteroid derivatives, such as turkesterone,[6] although these compounds have no proven anabolic effects on muscle in mammals, and no approval as a drug in any country.[5]