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]

TEUCRIUM

Annual, perennial herb, glabrous to short-hairy
Stems ascending to erect, branched or not
Leaves petioled, crenate to deeply lobed, lobes oblong
Inflorescences in CA axillary at upper nodes; flowers generally 2, subtended by leaves or bracts
Flower: calyx ± radial, 10-veined, 5-lobed, lobes subequal; corolla 1-lipped, tube split above, lip 5-lobed, ± flat, distal lobe > lateral lobes, tip rounded, lateral lobe tips acute to obtuse; stamens 4, lower pair generally > upper; style lobes generally equal
Species in genus: ± 100 species: worldwide, especially Medit
Etymology: (Greek: ancient name)
[McClintock & Epling Brittonia 5:491–510]

Native

T. glandulosum Kellogg

Stem generally branched throughout
Leaf 1–4 cm, ± persistent, generally deeply 3-lobed
Inflorescence: pedicel 8–25 mm
Flower: calyx tube 2–4 mm, lobes 4–8 mm, generally acute; corolla 15–21 mm, densely puberulent inside, white, violet-streaked; filament short-hairy below middle
Ecology: Uncommon. Rocky slopes, canyons
Elevation: 400–500 m.
Bioregional distribution: ne Sonoran Desert (Whipple Mtns)
Distribution outside California: Arizona, Baja California
Flowering time: Apr–May
Horticultural information: TRY.