366 Labiates Nepeta. 



7. 



A large genus of perennial herbs, for the greater part rather 

 unattractive. Flowers axillary or terminal. Calyx tubular, 

 15-ribbed, 5-toothed, equal or unequal. Corolla-tube narrow, 

 dilated and naked at the throat ; upper lip straight, bifid ; lower 

 lip trifid ; central lobe largest. Stamens 4, ascending under the 

 upper lip, anther-cells diverging. Nutlets smooth. The species 

 are estimated at upwards of 100, from the temperate and warm 

 regions of the northern hemisphere. We have two indigenous 

 species : N. Cataria, Catmint, and N. Glechoma, syn. Glechoma 

 hederacea, Ground Ivy. Probably the former is not truly 

 native, as it seems to be found only in the vicinity of ancient 

 buildings and gardens. The Ground Ivy is a common plant in 

 England, and one of our earliest Spring flowers. The name is 

 of Latin origin and was applied by the ancients to some plant 

 of this order. It is supposed to be derived from Nepete, a city 

 in Tuscany. 



1. N. Mussini. This appears to be the correct name of the 

 species in general cultivation under various names. It is the 

 species employed for bedding purposes. Different varieties 

 bear the names macrdntha, longiflora, etc. It grows from 

 1 to 3 feet high, with oblong-cordate obtuse hoary toothed 

 leaves, and flowers of some shade of blue according to the 

 variety, in leafy spikes of whorls, lasting for a considerable 

 time. It is found in various parts of Asia Minor and Siberia. 



8. DRACOCJSPHALUM. 



Annual or perennial herbs with opposite leaves and spiked 

 or capitate bracteate whorls of flowers. Calyx tubular, straight, 

 5-toothed, the upper tooth usually largest. Corolla-tube 

 inflated at the throat ; limbs bilabiate, upper lip concave, 

 lower lip 3-lobed. Stamens 4. There are about thirty species, 

 in temperate and warm regions of the north. The name is a 

 compound of SpaKtov, a dragon, and fcs^aXrj, a head, literally 

 dragon's head, from the shape of the corolla. 



1. D. peregrlnum. A handsome decumbent perennial spe- 

 cies. Leaves lanceolate, remotely toothed and mucronate, 

 tomentose beneath. Flowers violet-blue, spotted on the lips, 

 solitary and axillary, appearing in Autumn. A native of 

 Siberia. 



2. D. Argunense, syn. D. Altalcum. This is a more erect 



