| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
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]
Annual, perennial herb, subshrub, glabrous to short-hairy
Stems decumbent to erect, generally branched
Leaf petioled to sessile; blade generally ovate, entire to toothed
Inflorescences axillary, sessile or peduncled, collectively spike- or panicle-like, flower subtended by wide bract; bracts generally overlapping, white to purple
Flower: calyx radial, 5-lobed; corolla 2-lipped, upper lip ± entire, lower 3-lobed; stamens 4, enclosed by upper lip or exserted; style lobes ± unequal
Species in genus: 35 species: Medit, w Asia
Etymology: (Greek: ancient common name, mountain delight)
Cult for tea, cooking herbs, essential oils (O. dictamnus , dittany; O. majorana , sweet marjoram).
| Introduced |
Perennial from long rhizomes
Stem 5–9 dm; hairs short, curled
Leaf: petiole 3–5 mm; blade 0.5–3 cm, entire to ± serrate, glabrous to puberulent, minutely gland-dotted, margin ciliate
Inflorescences generally peduncled, collectively panicle-like; bracts 4–6 mm, light green, cream, or purple-tinged
Flower: calyx 1–2 mm, sparsely puberulent, gland-dotted, short-bristly within; corolla 4–7 mm, white to red-purple; lower stamens slightly > upper lip
Chromosomes: 2n=30
Ecology: Shaded sites, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 500 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, n South Coast (near Ventura)
Distribution outside California: native to Mediterranean Europe