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]

TRICHOSTEMA

BLUECURLS

Harlan Lewis

Annual, shrub, strong-scented
Stem hairy, often glandular
Leaf simple; blade linear to ovate, entire
Inflorescence: cymes (racemes in T. lanceolatum), axillary
Flower: calyx lobes 5, equal or uppermost 1 narrower; corolla blue or lavender, tube straight or curved upward, sometimes abruptly near throat, included to much exserted from calyx, lobes 5, lowest a generally reflexed lip; stamens 4, attached near throat, generally much exserted, ascending between upper corolla lobes, generally arched
Fruit: nutlets 4, joined in basal ± 1/3, puberulent to hairy, irregularly ridged
Species in genus: ± 17 species: North America
Etymology: (Greek: hair, stamen)
Reference: [Lewis 1945 Brittonia 5:276–303]
Annual species generally flowering late summer or fall.

Native

T. laxum A. Gray

TURPENTINE WEED

Annual < 5 dm
Stem: short hairs appressed, long hairs spreading, some hairs glandular
Leaf: petiole distinct, 5–15 mm; blade 3–7 cm, lanceolate to narrowly ovate
Flower: calyx lobes ± = tube, often red-tinged, uppermost narrower; corolla tube 4–8 mm, curved abruptly upward near throat, exserted, lower lip 4–7 mm; stamens 7–16 mm, much exserted, strongly arched
Chromosomes: n=7
Ecology: Gravelly streambanks or sandy soil
Elevation: < 1500 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California
Horticultural information: DRN, SUN, DRY: 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; leaves have strong odor.