766 LABIATAR. | Mentha. 
A very large and exceedingly natural family, quite cosmopolitan in its distribution, 
but most abundant in the warm-temperate portion of the Northern Hemisphere. 
Genera n@arly 200; species not far from 3000. Most of the species are strongly 
aromatic, and have stimulating or tonic properties. Some are used as condiments, 
as thyme, spearmint, sage, marjoram. sweet basil, &c. The essential oils obtained 
from peppermint, lavender, rosemary, and other species are used medicinally. Many 
brilliant garden-plants belong to the family, especially of the genus Salvia, _ The, 
meagre representation of the family in New Zealand is one of the chief peculiarities of 
the Flora. Only 2 genera occur, both of which have a wide distribution in temperate 
and warm regions. On the other hand, many species of northern origin have become 
naturalized since the commencement of European settlement, as will be seen on 
reference to the list of introduced plants given in the appendix. 
Calyx 10-nerved. Corolla almost regular, lobes flat. Stamens 4, 
equal, erect 7. ad s -. J, Mmnrua, 
Calyx 2-lipped, closing over the fruit. Corolla 2-lipped. Sta- 
mens 4, didynamous Bi hd 9 .. 2, SCUTELLARIA, 
1. MENTHA Linn. |73 5 
Strong-scented perennial herbs; rootstock creeping, stoloniferous. 
Leaves opposite. Flowers small, often axillary and solitary in the New 
Zealand species, but in others frequently arranged in many-flowered whorls 
or clusters, which are often aggregated into terminal spikes. Calyx 
campanulate or tubular, 5-toothed, throat naked or villous. Corolla-tube 
short, not exceeding the calyx; limb 4-lobed; lobes nearly equal or the 
upper one broader. Stamens 4, equal, erect, distant; filaments glabrous ; 
anther-cells 2, parallel. Style shortly bifid. Nutlets dry, ovoid, smooth, 
not bordered. 
A widely spread genus, most abundant in Europe and northern Asia, where the 
species are highly variable and difficult of discrimination. The single New Zealand 
Species is found nowhere else. Several of the European species have established them- 
selves as weeds or garden-escapes, especially the pennyroyal (AZ. pulegium), corn-mint 
(1. arvensis), peppermint (M. piperita), and spearmint (MM, viridis), Descriptions of 
these will be found in any English Flora. 
|. M. Cunninghamii Benth. in DC. Prodr. xii (1848) 174.—A fragrant 
perennial herb. Rhizome slender, wiry, prostrate, much branched, often 
matted ; stems numerous from the rhizome. diffusely branched, pubescent, 
2-12in. long. Leaves shortly petiolate or nearly sessile, 4-Jin. long, 
broadly ovate or almost orbicular. obtuse, entire or with an obscure 
notch on each side, glandular-dotted. Flowers small, white, axillary, 
usually solitary but sometimes 2-3 in each axil; peduncles slender, variable 
in length. Calyx about din. long, tubular-campanulate, densely hairy ; 
teeth villous within. Corolla-lobes almost equal, flat, spreading, upper one 
shortly bifid. Stamens equalling the corolla or slightly exserted.—Hook. 
j. Fl. Nov, Zel. i (1853) 205; Handb. N.Z. Fl. (1864) 225; Cheesem. Man. 
N.Z. Fl. (1906) 568. M. consimilis Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii (1886) 
264. Micromeria Cunninghamii Benth. Lab. Gen. et Sp. (1832) 730: 
A. Cunn. Precur. (1838) n. 391: Raoul Choix (1846) 43. 
NortH anp Sours Isnanps, CHATHAM ISLANDS, Stewart Istanp: Abundant 
throughout, in rather dry open grassy places. Sea-level to 4500 ft. 
2. SCUTELLARIA Linn. \7% & 
Annual or perennial herbs or undershrubs. Flowers solitary or in pairs. 
axillary or in terminal racemes or spikes. Calyx campanulate, 2-lipped ; 
lips entire, closed in fruit, the upper one bearing on its back a broad 
