Lepechinia calycina (Benth.) Epling

Growth Form

Lepechinia calycina is an aromatic shrub.

Bark Characteristics

Sections of its bark are covered in long hairs, some of which contain resin glands.

Leaf Morphology

Its leaves range from lance-shaped to roughly oval, and sometimes have toothed edges.

Inflorescence Structure

This shrub produces flowers in loose raceme inflorescences.

Calyx Features

Each individual flower is enclosed in a cuplike calyx made of sepals; these sepals are green when new, and turn reddish purple as they age.

Corolla Morphology

The flower's corolla is somewhat cylindrical, colored white to light lavender, and rolled back at the tip into four small lips and one longer lip.

Fruit Development

After the flower falls away, a tiny fruit develops inside the sepal cup.

Fruit Characteristics

This fruit is rounded, dark in color, and slightly hairy.

Traditional Uses

The Miwok, a Native American group native to California, used an extract made from this plant's leaves to treat fever and headache.