LABIATE TRIBE 



231 



Calamintha 



Officinalis 



(Common 



Calamint) 



and purple flowers, which grow in whorls ^as well as 

 at the summit of the stem. The calyx is distinctly 

 2-lipped, the lower lip bulged at the base. Dry 

 gravelly places ; not common. — Fl. July, August. 

 Perennial. 



2. C. officinalis (Common Calamint). — Leaves 

 stalked, egg-shaped, slightly serrated ; flowers stalked, 

 in forked axillary cymes. An erect, bushy plant, with 

 downy stems and foliage, and numerous light purple 

 flowers, which have small pointed l)racts in the forks 

 of their stalks. The whole plant has a sweet aro- 

 matic flavour, and makes a pleasant tea. Waysides 

 and hedges ; not uncommon. — Fl. July, August. 

 Perennial. 



3. C. clinopodimn (Wild Basil). — Calyx scarcely 

 bulged at the base ; leaves egg - shaped, stalked ; 

 flowers in crowded compound whorls. A straggling, 

 hairy plant, 1-3 feet high, with egg-shaped leaves, several bristly 

 whorls of stalked purple flowers, and numerous long, pointed bracts. 



Aromatic and fragrant. Bushy places ; 

 frequent. — Fl. July, August. Perennial. 



16. Melittis {Wild Balm) 



I. M. melissophyUmn (Wild Balm). — 



^f^^/ The only British species. A very hand- 



/ — ''^^^^^M^K^^P^ some plant, 12-18 inches high, with 



^j^^^^'Smu^^^ large heart-shaped, hairy, serrated leaves 



and conspicuous white flowers blotched 

 with bright rose-colour. The foliage 

 while fresh has ah offensive smell, but in 

 drying acquires the flavour of new hay 

 or Woodruff. Woods in the south and 

 west of England. — Fl. June, July. 

 Melittis Mf-lissophyllum Perennial. 

 (Wild Balm) 



17. Prunella {Self-heal) 



I. P. vulgaris (Self-heal). — The only 

 British species. Well distinguished by its 

 flattened calyx and whorls of purplish blue 

 flowers, which are collected into a head, 

 having a pair of leaves at the base and two 

 taper-pointed bracts beneath each whorl. 

 The stems are creeping, and the erect flower- 

 ing stems from 3-9 inches high. Pastures 

 and dry ground ; very common. — Fl. July, 



August. 



Perennial. 



Prunella Vulgaris 

 (Self-heal) 



