system. Page 46. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia). Page 47. * Skullcap (Scutellaria incana). Page 48. * Blue Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). Page 49 ...
The Mint Family To Plant or Not to Plant Lynn Furrow, Master Gardener
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THE MINT FAMILY (LAMIACEAE syn. LABIATAE)
General Physical Characteristics of the Lamiaceae • Leaves simple, usually opposite with each pair at right angles to previous pair along stem • Stem usually square in cross section • Frequently aromatic • Medicinal phytochemicals found in more than 200 genera
Patterns of the Mint Family
Flowers Bilaterally symmetrical Five joined sepals (calyx) Five petals (corolla) (2 petals up; 3 down) Petal arrangement generally a tube with upper lip- two-lobed and lower lip-3 lobed Two or four stamens present
Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Opal ’ )
Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Opal’)
SOME LAMIACEAE BEST PLANTED IN POTS
* Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis)
* Eastern US Native Plant
Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) Weedy in lawns Moist areas; shade or some sun; pH 5.5 to 7 Anti-inflammatory remedy for sore throats; heals wounds Leaves – use in salad Larval host to Clouded Sulfur
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) • Grow in full sun; dry soil; pH 6-8 • Culinary herb • Phyto-chemicals in leaves and flowers contribute to taste and smell • Infusions of essential oils added to cosmetics • Fungal and antibacterial properties due to essential oil, carvacol
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) • Grow in shade or part sun; likes moist loamy soil; pH 5.5 - 7.5 • Antifungal and antibacterial activity from its phytochemicals • Use as herbal infusion to settle stomach • Distinctive aroma from essential oil, carvone-R • Attracts bees
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) • Grow in morning sun; keep soil moist; pH 5.58.0 • Four-lobed corrola • Culinary herb • Essential oils – menthol and menthone • Antispasmodic – reduces IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) • Use to treat indigestion and nausea
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) • Needs afternoon shade and moist soil; pH 5-7.5 • Used as a flavoring in herbal teas and ice cream • Found in creams to treat skin irritations • Contains the essential oils citronellal and citrals a and b used to treat anxiety and gastrointestinal problems
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) • Full sun; light, dry, alkaline soil; pH 6-8 • Used as a culinary herb and to treat digestive disorders • Contains phytochemicals borneol, camphor and pinene • Antibacterial essential oils
* Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) • Bright shade; moist soil; pH 6.5 to 7.8 • Contains pulegone –a strong insect repellent; rub leaves on insect bite • Good nectar source for butterflies • Leaves used to make tea
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) • Grows in almost any type of soil • Marrubiin – active phytochemical formed when processing the plant • Used in early Egypt as an expectorant • German Commission E endorses for bronchial problems • Found in cough drops
INVASIVEINTRODUCED LAMIACEAE
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
Motherwort (Leonarus cardiaca)
Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum) Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum)
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)
Beafsteak Plant (Perilla frutescens)
GROUNDCOVERS Bugleweed
1
Oregano
Catmint
Spotted Dead Nettle
Lamb’s Ears
Thyme
1 On some invasive lists
Bugleweed (Ajuga repens)
Catmint (Nepeta cataria)
"Forest & Kim Starr".
Catmint (Nepeta cultivar)
Merikay Smith
Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantia)
Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantia)
Merikay Smith
Golden Oregano (Origanum aureum)
Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum)
Thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Elfin’)
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Woody subshrub - full sun; dry soil, neutral to alkaline Xeriscaping and culinary uses 23 essential oils – thymol most active against bacteria and fungi; used in some mouthwashes and to treat upper respiratory symptoms As a decoction, used to stimulate circulation when added to bathwater, and to promote hair growth when rubbed into scalp
PERENNIAL LAMIACEAE FOR THE GARDEN Sage Anise Hyssop Great Hyssop Betony Lavender
Rosemary Russian Sage Skullcap Obedient Plant Bergamot
Common Sage (Salvia officianalis) Woody subshrub; full sun; well drained soils; pH 6.0-8.0 Antiseptic and antifungal properties (Name comes from salvere (L), to be in good health) An infusion or decoction can be used as a mouthwash Culinary herb Use in xeriscaping
Sage (Salvia officianalis ‘Icterina’)
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Anise Hyssop (Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’)
Merikay Smith
Giant Hyssop (Agastache rupestris)
Merikay Smith
Betony (Stachys officinalis)
Lavender (Lavandula ‘Silver Frost’) Full sun; pH 6.5-8.5; loose loamy, sandy soil Flowers, leaves and stems contain the essential oils Lavender derived from lavare (L), to wash Used in bathwater as relaxant, in baking, and in linen closets to repel insects
Rosemary (Rosmarinus ‘Tuscan Blue’) Woody perennial herb; full sun; good soil drainage; pH 6.8-8.0 Culinary herb Xeriscaping plant High in antioxidants to aid memory and help the circulatory system
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
* Skullcap (Scutellaria incana)
* Blue Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
* Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
* Beebalm/Bergamot (Monarda) didyma)
Merikay Smith
* Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
D. Gordon E. Robertson
ANNUAL LAMIACEAE
Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides laevis) Bells of Ireland (Moluccella) Sage (Salvia splendens) Sage (Salvia guaranitica) Sage (Salvia farinacea) Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)
Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis)
Sage (Salvia splendens)
Sage (Salvia guaranitica)
Sage (Salvia farinacea)
Basil (Osimum basilicum) Full sun; plant in rich well draining soils; pH 5.5-7.5 Fertilize sparingly so as to not decrease fragrant oils. Culinary herb Used in India as an insect repellent to reduce itching by rubbing leaves on skin.
Silver Shield (Plectranthus argentatus)
WOODY SHRUBS OF THE LAMIACEAE
Blue Mist Shrub (Caryopteris x clandonensis) Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) Beautyberry (Callicarpus dichotoma) Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Blue Mist Shrub (Caropteris x clandonensis ‘Longwood Blue’)
Blue Mist Shrub (Caropteris x clandonensis ‘BlackKnight’
Blue Mist Shrub (Caryopteris)
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
Beautyberry (Callicarpus dichotoma)
Merikay Smith
* Beautyberry (Callicarpus americana)
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) Woody subshrub; grow in full sun; gravelly soil; pH 5.57.5 Use for xeriscaping An infusion of the flowers in water used as an expectorant Antiseptic properties from phytochemicals thujone and phenol Used in mouthwash
References • Allaby, Michael editor The Concise Dictionary of Botany, Oxford: Oxford University Press (1992). • Bremmess, Lesley. The Essential Guide to Herbs, London: Watkins Publishing (2012). • Duke, James A. The Green Pharmacy, New York, NY: St Martin’s Paperback (1997). • Duff, Gail. A Book of Herbs & Spices recipes, Remedies and Lore, Topsfield, MA: Salem House Publishers (1987). • ITIS report http://www.itis.gov • Ody, Penelope. The Complete Medicinal Herbal, New York , NY: D.K. Publishing, Inc (1993). • Photos: Merikay Smith: Agastache, Nepeta, Callicarpus, Agastache rupestris • Stevenson, Violet editor. A Modern Herbal How to Grow, Cook, and Use Herbs, Hong Kong: Linx Press Limited (1974). • Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki • Wikiamedia Commons • http://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/prunella/vulgaris • http://www.dnr.state.md.us/invasives/ • http://theherbculture.blogspot.com/2008/ • http://buecher.heilpflanzen-welt.de/BGA-Commission-E-Monographs/0225.htm • http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org • http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/Plant_Families/Lamiaceae.htm
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