Mosla scabra (Thunb.) C.Y. Wu & H.W. Li
Detail
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Botanical Name
- Mosla scabra (Thunb.) C.Y. Wu & H.W. Li
- Common Name
- Mosla, Miniature Beefsteak Plant
- Synonym(s)
- Mosla dianthera (Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) Maxim., misapplied
- Flora of Virginia Name/Status
- Mosla dianthera (Buchanan-Hamilton ex Roxburgh) Maximowicz
- Comments
- An introduction from eastern Asia, also recorded from six states to the west and south of our area. First discovered in Virginia in September 2010 along Southampton County logging roads and into the adjoining floodplain forests along the Meherrin River. Subsequently discovered along the Nottoway River, Three Creek, and other Nottoway tributaries, as well as near the Blackwater River. Recently collected in a number of outlying northern Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and mountain counties, indicating a very fast-spreading introduction.
Until recently, our plants were incorrectly identified as Mosla dianthera, a similar Asiatic species that is the only member of the genus included in North American floristic manuals. However, it now appears that all Virginia material, as well as at least some of that from other states, is referrable to M. scabra. See Tsung-Hsin &Tseng-Chieng in Taiwania 44(1): 72-81 (1999) for a detailed comparison of the two species. Many thanks to Charlie Davis of Lutherville, Maryland for bringing this issue to our attention. - Habitat
- Moist to damp soil in shaded or open clearings, old roadways, roadsides, pond edges, and disturbed floodplain alluvium. Frequent to locally common, Coastal Plain and e. Piedmont; apparently now widespread in the central and southern parts of eastern Virginia; also collected in sw. Virginia.
- Native Status
- Introduced
To save this map, right-click (control-click for Mac users) on the map and choose "Save Image As...".