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]

SALVIA

Deborah Engle Averett and Kurt R. Neisess

Annual, perennial herb, shrub
Leaf entire, lobed, or toothed, generally not spine-tipped
Inflorescence: clusters generally many-flowered, generally head-like, generally spheric, generally involucred, generally surrounding nodes in generally ± spike-like, generally interrupted panicles, or flowers 1–several per leaf axil
Flower: calyx generally 2-lipped, upper lip entire or of 3 generally shallow, sometimes spine-tipped lobes, lower lip generally of 2 generally spine-tipped lobes; corolla 2-lipped, upper lip 2-lobed to entire, lower lip with 3 spreading lobes (middle often expanded); fertile stamens 2, attached in throat, anther sacs 1–2 per stamen (if 2, then separate on thread-like structure, 1 fertile, > other); style forked at tip
Species in genus: ± 900 species: ± worldwide, especially tropical, subtropical Am
Etymology: (Latin: to save, from medicinal use)
Horticultural information: All species are excellent bee fodder and have edible seeds (a traditional food of native Californians).

Native

S. leucophylla Greene

PURPLE SAGE

Shrub, prostrate to erect, < 1.5 m; hairs dense, branched
Leaf 2–8 cm, oblong-lanceolate, puckered, base ± truncate to ± cordate; teeth small, rounded; margin sometimes rolled under
Inflorescence: clusters 1.5–4 cm wide; bracts ovate, < calyx
Flower: calyx 8–12 mm, upper lip entire, acute, not spine-tipped, lower lip generally 0; corolla tube 6–13 mm, rose-lavender, upper lip 6–8 mm, slightly < lower lip; stamens and style exserted
Fruit: nutlet 2–3 mm, brown or dark gray
Chromosomes: 2n=30
Ecology: Dry, open hills
Elevation: 50–800 m.
Bioregional distribution: s Central Coast, Outer South Coast Ranges, South Coast, Western Transverse Ranges, San Gabriel Mountains
Distribution outside California: Baja California
Horticultural information: SUN, DRN: 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 &IRR: 8, 9, 14, 19, 20, 21; CVS, including GRCVR; also STBL.