Taxonomy and distribution of genus Stachys (Lamiaceae) in Algeria

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Stachys (Lamiaceae) in Algeria using our own field investigations in the Algerian Tell. According to our results, we were able to identify 15 taxa of the genus Stachys including 9 species, 5 subspecies and 1 hybrid, with one probably extinct species (S. maritima) and two new discoveries (S. saxicola subsp. laxa and S. saxicola subsp. saxicola), as well as six rediscoveries (S. arenaria, S. duriaei × hirta, S. guyoniana, S. hydrophila, S. mialhesii, and S. saxicola subsp. chelifensis) and one species with a doubtful presence (S. annua). The assessment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status of Stachys taxa in Algeria showed that the majority of taxa could be classified as either “Endangered” or “Critically Endangered”. All the results highlight the ecological and conservational importance and the vulnerability of these taxa, thus emphasizing the need for their preservation.