Mountain tea (Sideritis hyssopifolia, Sp. pl. 2:575. 1753)

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:575. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sideritis

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. Spain to Italy

Description

Mountain tea, known scientifically as Sideritis hyssopifolia, is a remarkable plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. First documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in “Species Plantarum” (Sp. pl. 2:575. 1753), this plant has caught the attention of botanists and herbalists around the world. Native to a geographic belt stretching from northern Spain to Italy, Mountain tea thrives in these regions’ specific climates and altitudes.

The plant is renowned for its resilience and adaptability, flourishing in rocky, mountainous terrains where it draws its name. In addition to its robust nature, Sideritis hyssopifolia is highly valued for its health benefits. Traditionally, Mountain tea has been used in herbal remedies and is often brewed into an aromatic, soothing tea known for easing digestive issues and supporting overall wellness.

Its botanical characteristics include a square stem typical of the mint family, with narrow, hyssop-like leaves that produce delicate flowers. These flowers range in color from pale yellow to white and contribute to the plant’s unique charm and identification contrasts.

Mountain tea’s cultural and medicinal significance, combined with its ecological preferences, makes it a subject of ongoing interest in both botanical studies and traditional medicine practices. Whether appreciated for its aesthetic value in alpine gardens or revered for its healing properties in herbal medicine, Sideritis hyssopifolia stands out as a plant of enduring fascination and utility.

Common Names

Spa: hisopillo
Eng: mountain tea, rock tea
En: Mountain Tea, Rock Tea
Ca: Herba del bàlsam
Fr: Crapaudine à feuilles d’hysope, Thé des montagnes
De: Ysopblättriges Gliedkraut
It: Stregonia alpina
Es: Hisopillo, Té borriquero, Té de pastor
: Mountain tea

Synonyms

• Sideritis scordioides var. angustifolia (Benth.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. villarsii (Rouy)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. somedana (Obón & D.Rivera)
• Sideritis peyrei var. incana ((Benth.) Coulomb)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. castellana ((Sennen & Pau) Malag.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. santanderina (D.Rivera & Obón)
• Sideritis pastoris ((Sennen) Sennen)
• Sideritis peyrei subsp. castellana ((Sennen & Pau) Coulomb)
• Sideritis pavillardii (Sennen)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. pyrenaica ((Poir.) Briq.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. castellana (Sennen)
• Sideritis jurana (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Sideritis pyrenaica (Poir.)
• Sideritis alpina (Vill.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. alpina ((Vill.) P.Fourn.)
• Sideritis guillonii subsp. brevispica ((Sennen & Elías) D.Rivera & Obón)
• Sideritis vagans (Gand.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. incana ((Benth.) Briq.)
• Sideritis vidalii ((Sennen) Sennen)
• Sideritis scordioides var. alpina ((Vill.) Benth.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. aranensis (Font Quer)
• Sideritis scordioides var. incana (Benth.)
• Sideritis guillonii (Timb.-Lagr.)
• Sideritis crenata (Lapeyr.)
• Sideritis peyrei var. gouanii ((Timb.-Lagr.) Coulomb)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. alavesa (Obón & D.Rivera)
• Sideritis longifolia (Sennen)
• Sideritis lucida (J.Gay ex Nyman)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. alpina ((Vill.) Willd.)
• Sideritis scordioides var. crenata ((Lapeyr.) DC.)
• Fracastora alpestris (Bubani)
• Sideritis pilibunda (Gand.)
• Sideritis chamaedryoides (Dufour ex Willk. & Lange)
• Sideritis eynensis (Sennen)
• Sideritis pastoris var. laxiflora (Sennen)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. pastoris ((Sennen) Malag.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. longicaulis (Rouy)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. bracteosa (Font Quer)
• Sideritis guillonii subsp. peyrei ((Timb.-Lagr.) D.Rivera & Obón)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. peyrei ((Timb.-Lagr.) Briq.)
• Sideritis pastoris var. subalpina (Sennen)
• Sideritis remotior (Gand.)
• Sideritis scordioides var. peyrei ((Timb.-Lagr.) Nyman)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. somedana ((Obón & D.Rivera) B.Bock)
• Sideritis platystachya (Gand.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. crenata ((Lapeyr.) Loisel.)
• Sideritis peyrei var. vidalii ((Sennen) Coulomb)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. vizcaina (Obón & D.Rivera)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. longiatenuata (Font Quer)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia f. alpina ((Vill.) Willk.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. salcedoi (Font Quer)
• Sideritis latiuscula (Gand.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. laxispica (López Pach.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. longespica (Font Quer)
• Sideritis brachycalyx (Pau)
• Sideritis fetida (Poir.)
• Sideritis mariae (Sennen)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. guillonii ((Timb.-Lagr.) Nyman)
• Sideritis brevispica (Sennen & Elías)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. peyrei ((Timb.-Lagr.) Briq.)
• Sideritis scordioides subsp. guillonii ((Timb.-Lagr.) Briq.)
• Sideritis peyrei (Timb.-Lagr.)
• Sideritis pyrenaica var. alpina ((Vill.) Poir.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. dentifolia (Willk.)
• Sideritis scordioides var. hyssopifolia ((L.) Mutel)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. spicata (Gaudin)
• Sideritis peyrei var. laxispica ((López Pach.) Coulomb)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. brachycalyx ((Pau) Socorro & Arrebola)
• Stachys guillonii subsp. hyssopifolia ((L.) Soldano, Peruzzi & Bartolucci)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. gouanii ((Timb.-Lagr.) B.Bock & J.-M.Tison)
• Sideritis brachystachys (Gand.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. caureliana (Obón & D.Rivera)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. nocedoi (Obón & D.Rivera)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. phyllantha (Briq.)
• Sideritis scordioides var. guillonii ((Timb.-Lagr.) Briq.)
• Sideritis patula (Dulac)
• Sideritis peyrei subsp. guillonii ((Timb.-Lagr.) Coulomb)
• Sideritis bastanitsensis (Sennen)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. angustifolia ((Benth.) Willk.)
• Sideritis peyrei subsp. pastoris ((Sennen) Coulomb)
• Fracastora scordioides ((L.) Bubani)
• Sideritis foetida (Desf.)
• Sideritis grandis (Gand.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. brachycalix ((Pau) Font Quer)
• Sideritis longicaulis (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. aranensis ((Font Quer) Malag.)
• Sideritis gouanii (Timb.-Lagr.)
• Sideritis caureliana ((Obón & D.Rivera) Coulomb)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia subsp. eynensis ((Sennen) Malag.)
• Sideritis castellana ((Sennen & Pau) Sennen & Elías)
• Sideritis scordioides (L.)
• Sideritis aranensis ((Font Quer) D.Rivera & Obón)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia var. integrifolia (Willk.)
• Sideritis integrifolia (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia f. angustifolia ((Benth.) Willk.)
• Stachys guillonii ((Timb.-Lagr.) Soldano, Peruzzi & Bartolucci)

Distribution

• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2020 by André Hyvrier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Guaita Raquel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2018 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2021 by Bernard Haute Savoie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2021 by John Sycorax (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Guaita Raquel (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Guaita Raquel (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2017 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jul 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2022 by Klaas Everards (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Pablo Segura (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by español Pilar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 28, 2011 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Marie Portas (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8372368)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:458942-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sideritis hyssopifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 2