Ziziphora clinopodioides subsp. elbursensis (Rechinger) Rechinger (1982:487) .

≡ Ziziphora elbursensis Rechinger (1951: 169) .

Type: — IRAN. Mazanderan. In saxosis calc. Montis Ulodj, ca. 3000 m, 08.1948, Rechinger 6525b (holotype W19560006985!, isotypes G00402136!, G00402137!) .

Flowering stems to 10 cm tall, arcuate-ascending, green to purplish, pubescent. Leaves broadly ovate to elliptic, or orbicular, rounded at base, often acuminate-apiculate at apex, sparsely papillose-puberulent to glabrescent. Calyx 5–6 mm long, often purplish above half of the tube, sparsely short hirtellous, glandular punctate.

Habitat: —High alpine steppes, calcareous; alt. 2800‒3800 m; fl. & fr. August.

Distribution: —Eastern Turkey, N Iraq, W and N Iran.

Examined Speciemens: — TURKEY. Bitlis: Süphan Dağ, 4100 m, S ridge, 28 August 1954, Davis & Polunin 24690 (E!, K!); Van: Artos Dağ, Gevaş, 3350 m, 15 July 1954, Davis & Polunin 22890 (BM!, E!, K!) ; Ibidem, screes, 2900 m, 16 July 1954, Davis & Polunin 22771 (K) ; Başkale, İspiriz Dağ, rocky slope, 3300 m 31 July 1954, Davis & Polunin 23698 (BM!, E!, K!) ; Çatak, Kavuşşahap Dağ, 3100 m, 23 July 1954, Davis & Polunin 23145 (BM!, E!, K!) ; Ibidem, 3000 m, Davis & Polunin 23218 (BM!, E!, K!); Çatak, Kavuşşahap Dağları, S of Pisvanik from Arpit, limestone, scree, 2800 m, 13 August 1967, Watson 3589 (K) ; Hakkari: Cilo dağ, 10 km W of Cilo tepe, 3140 m, 09 August 1954, Davis & Polunin 24145 (BM!, E!, K!) .— IRAQ. Occasional in the north and central sector of the alpine and thorn-cushion zones of Iraq. MAM: Galli Zawita, NE of Zakho nr. Turkish border, 08 July 1957, Rawi 23621 (BAG!) ; MRO: Arl Gird Dagh, 3650 m, 21 July 1973, Guest 3058 (BAG!) ; Qandil range, 3100-3250, 27 August 1957, Rawi & Serhang 24461 (BAG!) ; NE of Qandil, 2800-3100, 26 August 1953, Rawi & Serhang 24419 A (BAG!) ; Qandil range, 3250 m, 27 August 1957, Rawi & Serhang 24505 (BAG!) : Kandil range (NE of Rania), 31 July 1957, Rawi & Serhang 18284 (BAG!) ; Qandil range, in rocky cliff, 2600 m, 20 August 1958, Serhang & Rawi 26735 & 26736 (BAG!) ; Newrabor valley-Qandil range, 1100-1550, 01 August 1957, Rawi & Serhang 24145 (BAG!) ; Helgurd Peak, Erbil Liwa, 11 August 1957, Rechinger 18518 (BUH!) ; Erbil, Mons Helgurd ad confinel Persiae, in declivibus occiedentalis summi montis, 3000-3800 m, 10-14 August 1957, Rechinger 11424 (E! G!) .

The flowering stems of the Turkish specimens Davis 22771 & 22890 are completely leafy and the leaves are imbricate. In most of the existing specimens’ flowering stems, internodes are not seen due to the rounded and imbricate arrangement of the leaves. In the specimens of subsp. elbursensis, the leaves are ovate to ovate-elliptic in the northernmost part of its distribution (around Van lake: Artos mountain and Süphandağ) to the south (N. Iraq). And from north towards to south, the leaves on the flowering stem become sparse and the internodes are clearly visible.