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]

POLIOMINTHA

Shrub
Stems spreading to erect, branched throughout, densely strigose, generally grayish
Leaves short-petioled to subsessile; blades generally narrow, entire
Inflorescences axillary, generally subtended by leaves
Flower: calyx ± radial, 15-veined, lobes subequal; corolla 2-lipped, lips ± equal, upper lip ± flat, lower lip 3-lobed, central lobe notched; stamens 2, ± exserted, staminodes short; style unequally lobed
Species in genus: 4 species: sw US, n Mex
Etymology: (Greek: hoary white mint)

Native

P. incana (Torr.) A. Gray

Plant 5–10 dm, rounded or mound-like
Leaf subsessile, generally reduced upward; blade 5–18 mm, 2–4 mm wide, oblong-elliptic to narrowly linear
Inflorescence: flowers 2–6; pedicel 1–2 mm
Flower: calyx densely short-hairy, tube 3–5 mm, puberulent within, lobes 1–2 mm; corolla 8–10 mm, light blue to lavender, upper lip 2–3.5 mm, lower 3–4 mm, minutely purple-dotted
Ecology: Uncommon. Sandy soils, rocky slopes,
Elevation: 1600–1700 m.
Bioregional distribution: s Mojave Desert (Cushenbury Springs)
Distribution outside California: to Colorado, Texas, n Mexico
Flowering time: Jun–Jul
Horticultural information: TRY; DFCLT.