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]

NEPETA

Annual, perennial herb, glabrous to hairy
Stems erect, generally branched
Leaf generally petioled
Inflorescences generally axillary, densely clustered at upper nodes, subtended by leaves or bracts
Flower: calyx ± radial, ± 15-veined, lobes generally subequal; corolla 2-lipped, upper lip ± 2-lobed, < lower, hood-like, lower lip 3-lobed, central lobe > lateral lobes; stamens 4, enclosed by or exceeding upper lip
Fruit: nutlets smooth to rough
Species in genus: ± 250 species: Eurasia, Africa
Etymology: (Latin: ancient name for catnip)

Introduced

N. cataria L.

CATNIP

Perennial, < 1.5 m
Stem short-hairy to canescent
Leaf 1.5–7.5 cm; petiole < blade, blade widely lanceolate to ovate, base lobed, margin crenate to serrate, upper surface short-hairy, lower surface densely short-appressed-hairy
Inflorescences crowded at upper stem nodes, head-like or collectively ± panicle-like; lower short-peduncled, subtended by leaves; upper subtended by short linear bracts
Flower: calyx 5–6 mm, short-hairy, lobes stiff, acuminate; corolla 6–10 mm, puberulent, white, lower lip purple-spotted, central lobe minutely crenate; upper stamens > lower
Chromosomes: 2n=36
Ecology: Moist, generally shaded areas
Elevation: < 1300 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia, e US; native to Eurasia