Clonal reproduction is often considered advantageous in stressful environments. While considerable research has explored how clonality supports plant survival in wet and cold conditions, its role in arid and semi-arid conditions remains underexplored. To address this gap, this study examines the distribution and diversity of clonality as a key component of belowground growth form (BGF) along aridity gradients across SW and Central Asia using the species-rich Lamiaceae family as a model. Data were collected from 281 species with a variety of BGFs occurring in a broad range of habitats. Data on BGFs were collected primarily in the field, with additional data from herbarium records and digital databases. BGFs were categorized into hypogeogenous rhizomes, epigeogenous rhizomes, stolons, and non-clonal types. Species distribution data were obtained from regional floras and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and analysed using precipitation-related bioclimatic variables. Clonal species of the Lamiaceae family, particularly those with hypogeogenous and epigeogenous rhizomes, were more prevalent in extreme environments, both water-limited and moisture-rich, highlighting their adaptation to stressful conditions. They thrived in arid habitats like deserts and semi-deserts as well as wet habitats such as forests or wetlands. Non-clonal species were concentrated in the centre of the gradient, dominating montane steppe shrublands where water availability was moderate and seasonally variable. Clonal plants are not avoiding arid environment. This is particularly noteworthy for species with hypogeogenous rhizomes that have been shown to prefer wet conditions in temperate regions. The exact mechanisms that permit their specialization to wet or dry conditions is to be further studied experimentally. These findings highlight how climate change may differentially affect species based on their BGFs.

Department of Biology Faculty of Sciences Hakim Sabzevari University Daneshjoo Boulevard Sabzevar 96179 76487 Iran

Department of Biology Herbarium Division Bu Ali Sina University Shahid Fahmideh Blvd Hamedan 65178 38695 Iran

Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research University of Vienna Rennweg 14 Vienna A 1030 Austria

Department of Botany Faculty of Science Charles University Benátská 2 Praha 128 01 Czech Republic

Department of Experimental and Functional Morphology Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Dukelská 13 Třeboň 379 82 Czech Republic

Department of Geoecology Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences Zámek 1 Průhonice 252 43 Czech Republic

Department of Population Ecology Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences Zámek 1 Průhonice 252 43 Czech Republic

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