Lamiaceae

Plant Sex: Flowers bisexual.

Flowers: Zygomorphic, bilabiate (2-lipped). Calyx and corolla connate into a tube. Stamens adnate to corolla tube, 2 or 2 + 2 (= DIDYNAMOUS). Ovary of two carpels, each deeply lobed (thus appears 4-carpellate). Style is GYNOBASIC.

Inflorescence: Axillary whorls (= verticels).

Fruits: Four nutlets.

Habit: Herbs with square stems (in x.s.). Aromatic from ethereal oils (terpenes).

Leaves: Opposite or whorled, simple, no stipules.

Examples:

Weeds
Lamium

L. amplexicaule (henbit). Habit of plant. Cleistogamous flowers. Chasmogamous flowers.
L. purpureum (dead nettle). Habit of plant. Flowering shoot. Flower L.S. Flowers, one in L.S.

Glechoma

G. hederacea (ground ivy). Habit of plant in flower. Flowering shoot. Flower L.S.

Wildflowers

Monarda

M. fistulosa (beebalm, horsemint). Habit of plant in flower. Inflorescence. Flowers. Connate anthers.
M. bradburniana. Shoot with inflorescence. Inflorescence. Infructescence.

Physostegia

P. virginiana (dragonhead). Flowering shoot. Flower L.S.

Scutellaria

S. incana (skullcap). Habit of plant in flower. Flowers.

Teucrium

T. canadense (Germander). Inflorescence. Flower. Gynoecium dissected.

Ornamentals

Ajuga

A. reptans (bugles). Flowering shoot. Flower L.S.

Nepeta

N. cataria (catnip). Flowering plant. Flowers.

Plectranthus

P. australis (Swedish ivy). Flowers. Flower L.S.
P. blumei (coleus). Potted plant in flower. Inflorescence.

Salvia

S. sp. 1 (sage). Flowers. Flower L.S.
S. sp. 2 (sage). Flowers. Flower closer view.

Spices and herbs

Lavandula

L. X intermedia (lavender). Here, flowers of L. canariensis.

Mentha

M. X piperita (peppermint). Here, M. sp. from Corsica.
M. spicata (spearmint)

Ocimum

O. basilicum (basil). Basil plants in garden. Flowering shoots. Fruits dissected.

Origanum

O. vulgare (oregano & marjoram). Flowering shoots. Inflorescence. Flower visited by honeybee.

Rosmarinus

R. officinalis (rosemary). Flowering shoots.

Thymus

T. vulgaris (thyme). Flowering shoots. Flowers.

SIUC / College of Science / Elements of Plant Systematics
URL: http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/PLB304/Lecture22Lamial/Lamiaceae.html
Last updated: 13-Apr-09 / dln