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]

SCUTELLARIA

SKULLCAP

Richard G. Olmstead

Perennial, generally hairy, sometimes glandular, from rhizomes or tubers
Stems erect, branched or not
Leaves basal and cauline; lower generally petioled; cauline becoming ± sessile upward
Inflorescence: flower generally 1 per leaf axil (or appearing as a bracted raceme)
Flower: calyx 2-lipped, lips ± equal, enclosing nutlets, back of upper lip dome-like or transversely ridged, generally with concave depression behind ridge; corolla 2-lipped, white to violet-blue, upper lip < lower lip, ± entire, hood-like, lower lip 3-lobed; stamens 4, pairs ± equal, enclosed by upper corolla lip, anthers ciliate, lower two 1-chambered; disk below ovary generally green-yellow
Fruit generally ovoid, generally minutely papillate, brown or black
Species in genus: ± 300 species: generally temp worldwide
Etymology: (Latin: tray, from calyx dome or ridge)
Reference: [Olmstead 1990 Contr Univ Michigan Herb 17:223–265]

Native

S. siphocampyloides Vatke

Plant 20–55 cm; rhizomes slender, tips ± swollen
Stem: hairs << 0.5 mm, appressed-ascending, generally gland-tipped
Leaves: basal petioles 10–20 mm; upper cauline blades ovate to oblong, entire, base rounded to tapered, tip rounded
Flower: pedicel 4–5.5 mm; calyx 3–4 mm, ridged; corolla 25–35 mm, violet-blue, lower lip white-patched, -mottled, or not, inner surface long-hairy
Fruit black
Ecology: Open sites, seeps, dry streambeds, scrub, woodland
Elevation: 300–2300 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province (except Great Central Valley)
Synonyms: S. austiniae Eastw
Horticultural information: 6 &IRR: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.