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]

MONARDELLA

James D. Jokerst

Annual, perennial herb, ± gland-dotted
Leaves entire to serrate
Inflorescence: heads 1 or more per main stem, sometimes arrayed in spikes or panicles; bracts in 2–3 series (outer series (0)1–2 pairs, ± like leaves, 0–several mm below heads, erect to reflexed; middle series 2–4 pairs, like leaves to papery or leathery, sometimes straw-colored to purple, erect in cup-like involucre to reflexed; inner series 0–few pairs, membranous, linear-lanceolate)
Flower: calyx 5-lobed, generally < 12 mm; corolla white to purple, upper lip erect, 2-lobed, lower lip recurved, 3-lobed; stamens 4; style unequally 2-lobed
Species in genus: ± 20 species: w North America
Etymology: (Latin: small Monarda )
Reference: [Epling 1925 Ann Missouri Bot Gard 12:1–106]
Complex; hybrids common, often outnumbering non-hybrids; head width and bract orientation given for unpressed specimens
Horticultural information: often DFCLT. Many subsp., subspp., or populations have exacting soil requirements.

Native

M. beneolens Shevock, Ertter & Jokerst

SWEET-SMELLING MONARDELLA

Perennial, matted to tufted, rhizomed
Stem decumbent, 10–30 cm; hairs spreading, long, soft, some glandular
Leaf < 10 mm, narrowly to triangular-ovate; margin wavy, generally ± entire, less often ± serrate; hairs dense, long, wavy, glandular on lower surface
Inflorescence: head 10–20 mm wide; outer bracts like leaves or not; middle bracts ± erect, ± in cup-like involucre, short, ovate, green to straw, rose-tinged or not
Flower: calyx hairs dense; corolla lavender to pale rose
Ecology: Subalpine forests
Elevation: 2500–3500 m.
Bioregional distribution: s High Sierra Nevada. Hybridizes with M. odoratissima subsp. pallida, M. linoides.
Horticultural information: DRN: 15, 16, 17 &SHD: 7 &IRR: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.