Ziziphora 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

Annual or perennial herbs or subshrubs, aromatic

Morphology Leaves

Leaves ± entire, subsessile to shortly petiolate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence of 2-12-flowered verticillasters, of sessile or pedunculate cymes in axils of leaf-like bracts, forming a terminal, spiciform or capituliform thyrse

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts patent or imbricate, ± conspicuous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles inconspicuous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers shortly pedicellate, pedicels sometimes flattened

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx ± actinomorphic, 5-lobed (± 3/2), lobes triangular, posterior lobes shorter than straight or curved anterior lobes, calyx-tube cylindrical, sometimes curved, gibbous below, 13-nerved, accrescent, throat bearded, closed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 2-lipped, ± 4-lobed (1/3), white, rose-red or purple, posterior lip rounded, sometimes emarginate, straight, anterior lobes ± rounded, corolla-tube cylindrical, short, sometimes scarcely exserted from calyx, exannulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 2, (posterior pair staminodal or absent), anterior pair ascending under posterior corolla lip, exserted from tube, anthers often cohering at margins, with fertile theca ellipsoidal, divaricate, becoming confluent, or often dimidiate, lower theca s

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma-lobes unequal

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disc symmetrical

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets ovoid to trigonous, smooth or granulate.

Note

2n = 12, 16, 18, 24, 32, 36.  About 20 species

Distribution

In Southern Europe, Northwestern Africa and Asia to Himalayas and Altai mountains.

Ecology

Open, usually xeric habitats.

Use

Aromatic and medicinal plants used as flavouring and as source of essential oils.