Source:
SSA
Synonym(s):
Mesosphaerum P.Browne: 257 (1756); Kuntze: 525 (1891). Bystropogon L'Her.: 19 (1789).
Description:
Annual or perennial herbs or soft shrubs. Leaves crenate-dentate to serrate. Inflorescences terminal on main or lateral branches; verticils several to many-flowered, crowded; bracts leafy below, becoming smaller towards apex; bracteoles linear to ovate. Calyx tubular-campanulate, ribbed, subequally 5-toothed; tube somewhat accrescent in fruit; teeth subulate. Corolla small, 5-lobed, +/- bilabiate; tube slightly exceeding calyx; lowest lobe saccate. Stamens 4, didynamous, declinate, arising in corolla throat; filaments linear, free; anthers 1-thecous, scarcely exserted. Style with stigma shortly 2-fid or entire. Nutlets smooth or punctate-rugulose. x = 8 (7) (high polyploidy).
Distribution:
Species +/- 300, in warm and tropical regions of America and Africa; 3 in sthn Afr.: Hyptis pectinatus (L.) Poit. is apparently indigenous and is found in Botswana, the other 2 are from tropical America and naturalised.
Classification:
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