Lepechinia hastata (A.Gray) Epling

Species Identity and Growth Form

Lepechinia hastata (A.Gray) Epling is an aromatic perennial shrub that reaches 0.3 to 2.3 m (0.98 to 7.55 ft) in height.

Stem Characteristics

Its stems are 1 to 1.5 cm (0.39 to 0.59 in) thick and covered in dense short hairs.

Leaf Arrangement and Petiole

Like most species in the Lamiaceae family, this plant has oppositely arranged leaves, which attach to the stem via a petiole around 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long.

Upper Leaf Features

Upper leaves located near the inflorescence are ovate and sessile.

Full-Sized Leaf Dimensions

Full-sized leaves can grow up to 32 cm (13 in) long and 15 cm (5.9 in) wide.

Leaf Shape and Texture

Leaves have a hastate shape, with a cordate to auriculate leaf base and an acute leaf tip, and are covered in velvety trichomes over visible raised veins.

Inflorescence Structure

The inflorescence is an open panicle, with lateral branches that branch cymosely 2 to 3 times.

Inflorescence Bracts

The inflorescence bracts are linear and grow up to 1.1 cm (0.43 in) long.

Flower Clusters and Pedicels

Flowers grow in axillary, cymose clusters, and are borne on pedicels that elongate as the flower ages, reaching about 1.2 cm (0.47 in) in length at anthesis.

Calyx Morphology

The calyx is made of 5 sepals fused at the base; the calyx tube measures 2 to 4 mm (0.079 to 0.157 in) long at anthesis.

Corolla Features

The corolla is 4-lobed, 11 to 21 mm (0.43 to 0.83 in) long, and colored purple-magenta.

Fruit Characteristics

The fruit splits into 4 glossy black nutlets, each about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.098 in) wide.

Traditional Medicinal Use

Historically, this species has been used as a natural remedy to treat uterine infections.

Cultivation Soil Requirements

It is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and can grow successfully in poor, dry soils.

Cultivation Light Requirements

It is recommended to grow this plant in locations that receive afternoon shade.

Cultivation Nomenclature Error

In cultivation, it is sometimes incorrectly labeled as Lepechinia salviae, a similar but separate species native to Chile.