344 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



Calyx, 2-lipped, the upper lip 3-toothed, sometimes entire. 

 Corolla, gaping, deeply cut into 2 lips, the upper straight, 

 slightly notched or entire, the lower 3-lobed, spreading. Sta- 

 mens, 2 perfect ones on short filaments, at whose summits a 

 thread crosses, bearing at one extremity a single anther-cell 

 ascending under the upper lip, and at the other an imperfect 

 but pollen-bearing anther, descending. This separation of the 

 anther cells by a transverse filament is characteristic of sages. 

 10 to 20 inches high. 



82 



S. qfficindlis is the common aromatic sage of the gardens, 

 with purplish-blue flowers in whorls about the stem. The 

 name is derived from salvus, " in good health," from supposed 

 curative properties. An old writer says : " It is good for the 

 head and brain. It quickens the memory and senses. No 

 man needs to doubt of the wholesomeness of sage." 



83. Blephilia 



Blephilia oil lata. — Family, Mint. Color, lavender. Leaves, 

 green above, whitish and downy beneath, nearly sessile, ovate, 

 narrowing at the base. Hairy, colored bracts under the calyx. 



Calyx, tubular, 2-lipped, the upper lip armed with 3 long, 

 the lower with 2 shorter teeth. Corolla, with 2 about equal 

 lips, hairy, the upper entire; the lower 3-divided, spreading, 

 the middle lobe notched and narrower than the side lobes. 

 Stamens, 2. Two feet or less high. Flowers in terminal 

 round heads and in whorls around the stem in the leaf-axils. 

 Whole plant rough and hairy. 



From Massachusetts southward and westward. 



84. Mountain-mint. Basil 



Pycnanihemum lanceolatum. — Family, Mint. Color, whit- 

 ish or light purple dotted with purple. Leaves, long, narrow. 



