Melissa L.

Harley, R.M. et al. (2004). Labiatae, in The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants (K. Kubitzki, ed. in chief) VI: 167-275. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herbs, ± rhizomatous, aromatic

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple, toothed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence of axillary verticillasters, widely spaced, with 2-16 flowers per verticillaster

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts leaf-like

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles small, patent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers with curved pedicels

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 2-lipped, 5-lobed (3/2), ± campanulate, lobes upcurved, ciliate, posterior lip with lobes very short, lower lip with lobes long-triangular, tube 13-nerved

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 2-lipped, hairy, white, cream or reddish, posterior lip shorter, with lobe rounded and emarginate, anterior lip with median lobe semiorbicular, deflexed, lateral lobes very small, ± triangular, corolla-tube dilated at throat

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, didynamous, exserted from tube, anterior pair longer, filaments ± straight, thecae divergent, confluent at base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma-lobes subulate, subequal

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets ovoid, smooth, mucilaginous.

Note

2n = 32, 34, 64.  Four species

Ecology

Usually in forests

Distribution

Europe, Northern Africa, Macaronesia and Asia.

Use

Plants used as a source of essential oils, both medicinally and as flavouring.