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]

PRUNELLA

SELF-HEAL

Perennial, glabrous to hairy, generally with bisexual flowers only, sometimes with only pistillate flowers
Stems prostrate to erect, sometimes rooting at lower nodes
Leaves basal and cauline, generally petioled; blade generally entire
Inflorescences densely clustered, collectively ± spike-like, terminal; bract generally wide, abruptly acuminate
Flower: calyx 2-lipped, upper = lower, upper lip 3-toothed, lower 2-lobed; corolla finely hairy inside, 2-lipped, lower lip 3-lobed, upper lip ± entire, hood-like, ± enclosing stamens; stamens 4, lower pair > upper, filament minutely toothed below anther
Fruit: nutlets obovoid
Species in genus: 4 species: temp, especially Eurasia
Etymology: (Latin: from early German name for plant used to treat chest pains)

Native

P. vulgaris L.

Stem 1–5 dm, glabrous to short-hairy
Leaves: lower petioled, petiole 5–30 mm; upper subsessile; blade 2–7 cm, generally 1–4 cm wide, ovate, elliptic, or lanceolate, base generally wedge-shaped
Inflorescence 2–6.5 cm; bract margin ciliate, reddish
Flower: calyx 7–11 mm, dark green to purplish; corolla 12–15 mm in bisexual flowers, 8–11 mm in pistillate flowers, bluish violet, sometimes pink or white
Chromosomes: 2n=28,32
Ecology: Moist areas
Elevation: < 2400 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province, East of Sierra Nevada
Distribution outside California: circumboreal