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]

AGASTACHE

HORSEMINT

Deborah Engle Averett

Perennial, erect, generally < 1 m, aromatic
Leaves petioled; blade ± lanceolate to triangular, margin crenate to coarsely serrate
Inflorescence: spike of sessile clusters, dense; bracts 1–several at base, leaf-like, lanceolate
Flower: calyx 5-lobed, 2-lipped, turning pink before fruit, lobes acuminate; corolla 5-lobed, rose to rose-purple, 2-lipped, lower longer, broader, upper 2-lobed; stamens 4, in 2 pairs (1 pair longer), exserted, anther sacs spreading; style 2-lobed, exserted
Fruit ± 2 mm, oblong, brown, smooth; with small hairs at tip
Chromosomes: 2n=18
Species in genus: 22 species: North America, Mex, Asia
Etymology: (Greek: many spikes)

Native

A. urticifolia (Benth.) Kuntze

Leaf 3–8 cm, 1.5–7 cm wide
Flower: corolla rose to rose-purple
Ecology: Common. Generally woodlands, but many habitats
Elevation: 400–3000 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, n&c Sierra Nevada Foothills, High Sierra Nevada, Outer South Coast Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, Warner Mountains, n East of Sierra Nevada
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia, Rocky Mtns
Flowering time: Jun–Aug
Synonyms: A. glaucifolia A. Heller
Coast Range plants generally hairier than those from farther inland
Horticultural information: DRN, IRR: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 17 &SHD: 3, 7, 14, 15, 16.