Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, 4-sided, usually branched, pubescent.
- Leaves
- Opposite, simple, stalked, lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, 1 to 2.5 inches long, .25 to .75 inch wide, glabrous or sparsely hairy; margins toothed or infrequently nearly entire; tips pointed.
- Inflorescence
- Interrupted spikes of 1-6 densely flowered clusters; bracts conspicuous, leaf-like, densely grayish pubescent, upper surfaces whitish to pinkish purple; tips spiny-bristled.
- Flower
- Calyces 5-lobed, hairy, tips bristle-like; corollas 2-lipped, resembling open snake mouths, to 1 inch long, white to lavender; upper lip arched, lower lip often purple spotted.
- Fruit
- 4 nutlets, smooth, yellowish brown, each 1-seeded.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Rocky or sandy prairies, pastures, roadsides, and hillsides.
- Distribution
- Throughout Kansas.
Additional Notes
Comments
The genus name honors Nicholas Monardes, a Spanish physician from Seville who wrote about New World medicinal plants in the 1500s. The specific epithet comes from Latin "citrus" and "odoro" to "give a fragrant smell".
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Lamiaceae - Mint Family
- Life Span
- Annual
- Height
- 12-32 inches
- Last Updated
- 2007-10-08
Color Groups
Blue, Purple, Lavender & Violet Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: May, June, July