baicalensis

Baicalensis is a Latin species epithet used in scientific names to indicate an association with the Baikal region in Siberia, including Lake Baikal. The form baicalensis is used across genera to denote origin or connection to this area. It is not a taxon by itself but a descriptor embedded in binomial names.

In botany and zoology, many species bear the epithet baicalensis, reflecting where they were first described or collected. A well-known example is Scutellaria baicalensis, commonly called Chinese skullcap, a flowering plant that has a long history in East Asian traditional medicine and has been studied for its flavonoids such as baicalin and baicalein.

Research on Scutellaria baicalensis has explored potential pharmacological effects, though evidence for clinical benefits remains inconclusive and context-dependent. The epithet’s primary purpose is geographic indication, so interpretation should consider the taxonomic context and historical naming practices.