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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]

MELISSA

BALM

Perennial
Stems erect, simple or branched
Leaf petioled; blade oblong to ovate, crenate to serrate
Inflorescences axillary at upper nodes, each ± open, subtended by leaves, short-bracted
Flower: calyx 2-lipped, upper lip > lower lip, 3-lobed, lower lip 2-lobed; corolla 2-lipped, upper lip ± entire, hood-like, erect or reflexed, lower lip 3-lobed, tube > calyx, curved upward; stamens 4, fertile, pairs subequal, including under upper lip; style lobes unequal
Fruit ovoid, smooth
Species in genus: 3 species: Eur, w Asia
Etymology: (Greek: bee)

Introduced

M. officinalis L.

BEE BALM


Stem branched, 2–15 dm, finely glandular hairy
Leaf: blade 2–14 cm, 1.5–7 cm wide, ovate, crenate
Inflorescence: flowers 4–12; subtending leaves reduced upward; pedicels 2–5 mm
Flower: calyx 7–9 mm, tube ribbed, long-soft-hairy; corolla 8–15 mm, light yellow, becoming ± white or pinkish
Ecology: Moist sites, meadows, ditches, fields
Elevation: < 800 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, Cascade Range Foothills, n Sierra Nevada Foothills, Central Western California
Distribution outside California: native to s Europe

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