3-50 Lamiaceae, mint family

Marian C. Munro; Ruth E. Newell; Nicholas M. Hill

Authors

Marian C. Munro Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS
Ruth E. Newell E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nicholas M. Hill Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Keywords:

Magnoliophyte, dicots, mint family, Ajuga, Hedeoma, Scutellaria, Stachys, Lycopus, Mentha, Glechoma, Teucrium, Lamium, Galeopsis, Leonurus, Satureja, Origanum, Dracocephalum, Clinopodium, Prunella, Thymus, Hyssopus, bugle, bugleweed, basil, dragon

Abstract

Cosmopolitan in distribution, the mints include 3200 species of aromatic herbs and low shrubs. All have square stems and opposite, simple leaves. Flowers are generally irregular and may be whorled, an arrangement in this family called verticils. They are sympetalous and bilabiate, the corolla cleft into five lobes, sometimes fused to four. Stamens two or four, inserted in the tube. The anther on one may be vestigial.

Calyx has its lobes fused and is sometimes irregular. Ovary is four-merous, with one nutlet fitted in each quarter. The style is erect between the lobes. Many of our aromatic or culinary herbs are included: marjoram, oregano, thyme, sage and basil, not to mention peppermint and spearmint.Photographs donated by Sean Blaney, Martin Thomas, Alain Belliveau, Ross Hall, Andy Dean and David Mazerolle.

Author Biographies

Marian C. Munro, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS

Curator of Botany (NSPM)

Ruth E. Newell, E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Curator of the E. C. Smith Herbarium (ACAD)

Nicholas M. Hill, Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Director; Adjunct Professor