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	©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California Print edition is available from the University of California Press

	The second edition of The Jepson Manual (2012) is available from the University of California Press
	See also the Jepson eFlora, which parallels the Second Edition

LAMIACEAE

MINT FAMILY

Dieter H. Wilken, except as specifed

Annual, perennial herb, shrub, glabrous to hairy, generally aromatic
Stems generally erect, generally 4-angled
Leaves generally simple to deeply lobed, opposite, generally gland-dotted
Inflorescence: cyme, generally clustered around stem, head-like, separated by evident internodes (terminal in Monardella ) or collectively crowded, spike-like to panicle-like (sometimes raceme or flowers 2–12); subtended by leaves or bracts; flowers sessile or pedicelled
Flower generally bisexual; calyx generally 5-lobed, radial to bilateral; corolla generally bilateral, 1–2-lipped, upper lip entire or 2-lobed, ± flat to hood-like, sometimes 0, lower lip generally 3-lobed; stamens generally 4, generally exserted, paired, pairs unequal, sometimes 2, staminodes 2 or 0; ovary superior, generally 4-lobed to base, chambers 2, ovules 2 per chamber, style 1, arising from center at junction of lobes, stigmas generally 2
Fruit: nutlets 4, generally ovoid to oblong, smooth
Genera in family: ± 200 genera, 5500 species: worldwide. Many cultivated for herbs, oils (Lavandula , lavender; Mentha , mint; Ocimum , basil; Rosmarinus , rosemary; Thymus , thyme), some cultivated as ornamental (in CA Cedronella , Leonotis , Phlomis )
Reference: [Cantino & Sanders 1986 Syst Bot 11:163–185]

MENTHA

MINT

Perennial from rhizomes, glabrous to hairy
Stems generally ascending to erect, generally branched
Leaf petioled to sessile, elliptic, ovate, or lanceolate, toothed to lobed
Inflorescences axillary, each head-like and subtended by leaves, or collectively spike- or panicle-like and by bracts
Flower: calyx ± radial, generally 10-veined, lobes equal or unequal; corolla ± 2-lipped, lips generally equal, upper lip notched, lower lip 3-lobed; stamens 4, ± equal, generally exserted; style lobes unequal
Species in genus: 25 species: temp. North America, Eurasia
Etymology: (Latin: ancient name for mint)
Reference: [Tucker, Harley, & Fairbrothers 1980 Taxon 29:233–255]
Cult for oils, flavoring, herbs. Many cultivated and naturalized populations derived from hybridization, generally complexly polyploid, some sterile, reproducing vegetatively.

Introduced

M. suaveolens Ehrh.

Stem 5–10 dm, soft-hairy
Leaf 1–4 cm, subsessile; blade ovate, oblong, or broadly elliptic, base slightly lobed, tip generally rounded, crenate to serrate, lower surface stellate-tomentose
Inflorescences densely clustered at upper nodes, subtended by linear or awl-like bracts, collectively spike-like
Flower: calyx 1–1.5 mm, short-hairy; corolla 2–3 mm, white or pinkish; stamens > corolla lobes
Ecology: Moist areas, ditchbanks
Elevation: < 1200 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, Sierra Nevada, Central Western California, South Coast, East of Sierra Nevada, expected elsewhere
Distribution outside California: native to s Europe
Flowering time: Jul–Oct
Synonyms: M. rotundifolia (L.) Huds. misapplied