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]

MOLUCCELLA

SHELL FLOWER

Annual, generally glabrous
Stems erect, generally simple
Leaves petioled; blade crenate to lobed
Inflorescences axillary, subtended by leaves; flowers 4–10; bracts spine-forked
Flower: calyx > corolla, obliquely funnel-shaped, 5–10-toothed, becoming membranous, net-veined, persistent in fruit; corolla 2-lipped, lower lip > upper, upper hood-like, lower 3–4-lobed, lobes unequal; stamens 4, ascending under upper lip, lower pair ± > upper pair; style lobes unequal
Fruit: nutlet 3-angled, top ± truncate
Species in genus: 2 species: Medit
Etymology: (Latin: mistakenly named for Molucca Islands, Indonesia)