THE DICOTYLEDONES 1927 



Labiatae (Lamiaceae) 



This family consists almost entirely of herbs inhabiting the temperate 

 regions. In warmer lands there are a few shrubs but trees are extremely 

 rare. In America a few species of the genus Scutellaria climb, but these are 

 exceptions. The characteristics of the family are very clearly defined 

 making most of the members easily recognizable. 



In Britain the family is represented by a number of common genera 

 of which the Deadnettle {Lamiiim), Wild Sage {Salvia), the Mints (Mentha) 

 and Thyme (Thymus) are the best known. Among other common genera 

 we may mention Ajuga (Bugle), Stachys (Betony), Galeopsis (Hemp 

 Nettle), Scutellaria (Skullcap), Origanum (Marjoram) and Lycopus (Gipsy- 

 wort). Mint, Thyme and Sage are among the commonest plants used as 

 flavourings, but most Labiatae are more or less aromatic. 



The plants characteristically possess square stems and bear opposite, 

 decussate, simple leaves. Most possess epidermal glandular hairs or 

 internal glands from which are derived the volatile oils which give them 

 their value in cookery. 



The inflorescence (Fig. 1854) is a specialized type of cyme, referred 



Fig. 1854. — Lamiiim s^a/eobdolon. Archangels. 

 Flowers in verticillasters. 



to as verticillaster, which is really a condensed dichasium of scorpioid 

 cymes in which the axis has become telescoped. (See p. 1078.) 



