Lattialaudat

Lattialaudat is a genus of small, herbaceous flowering plants in the family Labiatae, first described in 1905 by botanist J. A. Borum. The genus name is derived from the Latin words *lattice* and *audata*, referring to the lattice-like arrangement of its leaves and the slightly ear-like appendages on the stems. Currently the genus contains three accepted species: Lattialaudat simplex, Lattialaudat multicaulis, and Lattialaudat aurantiacus.

The species are native to the highland ecosystems of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. They typically occupy moist, shaded niches along stream banks and ravine edges at elevations between 1,800 and 2,400 metres. Their leaves are opposite, lanceolate, and usually 2–4 centimetres long, with a pronounced midvein that gives a subtle lattice appearance when viewed in cross-section. The flowers are solitary, tubular, and appear in late spring and early summer. They are generally white to pale pink, with a faint purple spot on the corolla limb, and are pollinated mainly by small bees and hummingbirds.

Lattialaudat species are used in traditional medicine by local communities for their purported anti-inflammatory properties. Preparations typically involve steeping the dried leaves or stems in water to create a tea. Modern pharmacological studies have identified several flavonoid compounds in the leaves that exhibit in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, though clinical studies are lacking.

Conservation status varies among the species. L. simplex is considered of least concern by the IUCN, but its population is monitored due to habitat fragmentation from agricultural expansion. L. multicaulis and L. aurantiacus are listed as near threatened, primarily because of ongoing deforestation and watercourse alteration. Conservation efforts focus on preserving riparian buffer zones and regulating land use in the Rift Valley highlands.

The genus is currently of academic interest within systematic botany, partly due to its distinct morphological features that differentiate it from closely related genera in the Labiatae. Taxonomists continue to analyze genetic markers to clarify its phylogenetic positioning within the family.