(Lamiaceae)

Flowers are organized alphabetically by genus and species. Hover over a photo series to control the images.

 New Mexico Giant Hyssop (Agastache pallidiflora)

The giant hyssop is in the mint family, so don't be surprised if the leaves remind you of mint. In the August 2017 photo you can also see examples of Geyer's Onion, which gets its own section on the Lily Family page.

Nettle-Leaf Giant Hyssop (Agastache urticifolia)

Henbit Deadnettle, Giraffeheads (Lamium amplexicaule)

These flowers are tiny. The main flowering season is in the spring but as my photos show, blooms can occur late into the fall.

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)

Once horehound's inconspicuous white flowers fall out, what you'll notice is green or brown "puffball" structures at regular intervals along the stems. At each such "puffball" you'll also see two small mint-like leaves. This species was introduced from Europe, where it was valued for its medicinal properties, and is now widespread in North America.

Bergamot, Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa)

Pony Beebalm (Monarda pectinata)

Pony beebalm extends from the western Plains into the Southwest and as far west as southeastern California. Locally, they flowers are supposed to be pale pink to white. I suspect that the RGNC's plants were obtained from California, where pictures show the same depth of color. While Monarda fistulosa, above, has one flower cluster per stem, Monarda pectinata has "stacked" flower clusters.

Blue Sage (Salvia azurea)

Blue sage occurs in the wild in New Mexico, but it's far more common east and northeast of that state.

Lanceleaf Sage (Salvia reflexa)

This "weed" appeared under my bird feeders, and no doubt grew from a seed transported by a bird. The green flower spikes include only a few light blue flowers at a time, and those are inconspicuous. After the flowers wither, the cuplike calyxes (which have two lobes) turn brown and yield four nutlets each.

Sawtooth Sage (Salvia subincisa)

After the flowers fall away, the calyxes remain on the stalk and look a little like brown flowers themselves. Peek inside a browning calyx and you may find "nutlets."

Cutleaf or Lacy Germander (Teucrium laciniatum)

Chaste Tree, Lilac Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus)

This Old World species has escaped into the wild, including in New Mexico. It gets its odd name from its supposed ability to reduce a person's sexual drive.