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 Leaves Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) | | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial
General Desc:
This is a hairy perennial herb with an erect form up to 18 inches tall. It is very aromatic and minty. Leaf edges are often rolled inward and the leaves, stems and flower bracts (calyx) are covered with short, fine hairs that have their tips bent over.
Identification notes: At maturity the calyx teeth come together and close the floral tube.
Height:
4 to 15 inches
Habitat Description: Rocky, gravelly slopes, caliche, limestone embankments and well-drained loamy floodplains.
Plant Communities:
Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian
Elevation: 3500 - 7500 feet
Color:
Bluish-purple to pinkish-purple
Shape:
Irregular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
Y
Flowering Period:
May - Sep
Description:
The inflorescence arises from the leaf axils, bearing 3 to 7 flowers each. Flowers average 1/2 inch in length. The flowers are generally bluish to rose-purple with some white markings.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Opposite
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
The oppositely arranged paired leaves are linear to narrowly oval in shape, pointed, and less than 1/2 inch long. The leaves have a strong sweet mint scent when crushed. The back of the leaf is pitted (foveate).
Fruit Color: Green to brownish
Fruit Type: Nutlet
Fruit Notes: The fruit is a waxy, sticky nutlet.
Seed Notes: Small brown seeds are egg-shaped, 1 to 4 per nutlet.
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