Phlomis 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 or small shrubs, usually with woody rhizomes and/or tubers at root tips, with branched and/or simple hairs, rarely with simple hairs only

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple, entire or toothed, at least lower petiolate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence thyrsoid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles present or sometimes absent, mostly long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 5-lobed, lobes equal or sometimes unequal (3/2), mostly broad at base and abruptly narrowed to a narrow apex, often expanded at margins, sometimes obsolete or triangular-acuminate, mostly spinose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla strongly 2-lipped, 4-lobed (1/3), purple, pink or yellow, posterior lip long, hooded, often deeply concave, often bearded with simple hairs at margins

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens not or only shortly exserted, posterior pair often with outgrowths near base, thecae confluent to sometimes weakly distinct

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma-lobes unequal or sometimes equal

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets rounded or truncate at apex, glabrous or hairy at apex.

Note

2n = 12, 14, 20, 22, 40, 42.  Up to c. 100 species Adylov et al. (1986) believe that the predominantly Asiatic section Phlomoides, characterized by its rather shallowly hooded posterior lip of the corolla with a bearded margin, should be transferred to a

Ecology

Warm temperate, alpine and subtropical areas

Distribution

From Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean to Siberia, Korea, China, Nepal and Northern India.  Introduced to Macaronesia, Northeastern and Southwestern U.S.A. and New Zealand. Doubtfully present in the Arabian Peninsula