388 



LABIAT.E 



from the Latin salveo, I am well, from the healing properties of 



Sage.) 



I. S. Verbendca (Clary, Wild Sage). — An aromatic, herbaceous 



plant, I — 2 feet high, with few oblong, blunt, cordate, crenate, 



much-wrinkled leaves^ wavy at the 

 edge; and rendered conspicuous 

 by its long spikes of purple-blue 

 flowers, the calyx of which is 

 much larger than the corolla, 

 while at the base of each flower 

 are 2 ovate-cordate bracts. — Dry 

 pastures, especially near the sea, 

 or on a chalky soil ; frequent. 

 The fruit was formerly used in 

 eye-lotions. — Fl. May — Septem- 

 ber. Perennial. 



2. S. praiensis (Meadow Clary), 

 distinguished by its large blue 

 corolla with a viscid lip, is a rare 

 species, occurring in dry fields in 

 Kent, Oxfordshire, and Cornwall. 

 — Fl. June — August. Perennial. 



8. Nepeta (Catmint). — Herbs 

 with a tubular, 5-toothed, 15- 

 ribbed calyx; the tube of the 

 corolla longer than the calyx, 

 slender below, dilated at the 

 throat; upper lip flat, notched; 

 lower 3-lobed, with a large middle 

 lobe ; 2 front stamens the shortest. 

 (Name of doubtful origin.) 



I. N.Catdria (CsLtmint). — Stem 

 erect, branched, 2 — 3 feet high, 

 white with mealy down ; leaves 

 ovate, cordate, serrate, whitish 

 beneath ; flowers small, white, 

 dotted with crimson, in dense 

 whorls, which towards the sum- 

 mit of the stem are so close as almost to form a spike. — Hedges 

 and waste ground ; not uncommon. The whole plant has a 

 strong aromatic odour, resembling Pennyroyal, and peculiarly 

 pleasing to cats, whence it derives its nam.e. — Fl. July — September. 

 Perennial. 



N^i'ETA catAria (Cahfn'nf). 



