INFLUENCE OF TOPOGRAPHIC ASPECT ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF NEPETA SEPTEMCRENATA IN SAINT KATHERINE PROTECTORATE, SOUTH SINAI, EGYPT.

A study was carried out on a wild herb Nepeta septemcrenata Benth. (Family: Lamiaceae) in Saint Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai, Egypt to assess the effect of topographic aspect on plant distribution, morphological parameters and soil component. The results show that aspect influence on physical and chemical properties of soil. Water content showed great variation among different aspect directions. Plant traits also affected by these directions. Results found that 26.8% of N.septemcrenata populations’ recorded at North aspect and no observation for Nepeta at South aspect. Soil physical properties showed significant variation among different aspect ranks. Results also showed positive correlation between soil total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, sodium, potassium and chloride. This component show highest degree at east aspect. Soil pH and calcium carbonate showed the highest value at south west aspect, while calcium and magnesium show highest value at North east aspect.