Lavandula stoechas L. subsp. stoechas

This is a small aromatic shrub of up to 150 cm tall, that can be found in dry shrublands along the mediterranean Region. Stems are more or less tomentose. Leaves are more or less lanceolate, entire, spathulate and usually grey-tomentose. Flowers are arranged into pedunculate spikes that bear 3-12, obovate and purple, apical bracts. Fertile bracts are ovate to rhombic and densely pubescent. Calyx is 13 veined with an obcordate appendage at the apex of the upper tooth. Corolla is usually dark purple and scarcely pubescent.

Flowering occurs between January and September.

The photo was taken near the “Arroyo Pedroche” (Córdoba) in April 30, 2018.

Stachys arvensis (L.) L.

Erect and hirsute annual herb that can be found growing in cultivated grounds, grasslands and roadsides all along Europe.

Stems are often branched and can reach up to 40 cm tall. Leaves are petiolate, crenate and slightly cordate at base. Flowers are clustered into 4-6 flowered verticillasters. Bracts are very similar to leaves. Calyx is hirsute. Corolla is pink to whitish, scarcely exceeding the calyx.

Flowering takes place from February to May.

The photos were taken near between Córdoba and Guadalcázar, in March 22, 2018.

Stachys ocymastrum (L.) Briq.

Erect and hirsute annual herb that can be found growing in cultivated grounds and roadsides along S. Europe.

Stems are often branched and can reach up to 50 cm tall. Leaves are ovate, crenate and slightly cordate at base. Flowers are clustered into 4-6 flowered verticillasters. Bracts are very similar to leaves. Calyx is hirsute. Corolla is whitish, with the upper lip emarginate.

Flowering takes place from March to June.

The photos were taken near the city of Córdoba. in April 30, 2018.

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Rosmarinus officinalis L.

This is an evergreen and aromatic shrub that thrives in scrublands of the Mediterranean Region. Stems, of up 2 m tall, are erect, ascending or rarely procumbent. Leaves, sessile, are linear, coriaceous, bright green above and white tomentose below, and have revolute margins. Calyx is green and tomentose during the anthesis, but somewhat pruplish and glabrous in fructification. Corolla is violet.

Flowering takes place from April to September.

The photo was taken near “Las Jaras” in the Sierra of Córdoba, in February 3, 2018.

Melissa officinalis L.

Perennial herb with stems up to 80 cm tall, erect, branched and glandular-puberulent. Leaves are ovate and crenate. Flowers are grouped into 2-12 flowered verticillasters. Calyx is hairy,with 3 short and prickly teeth in the upper lip, and 2 longer teeth in the lower one. Corolla is pale yellow to whitish.

Flowering occurs from May to November.

The photo was taken near the “Arroyo Pedroche”, Córdoba, in October 6, 2017.

Mentha suaveolens Ehrh.

Perennial and rhizomatous herb with a sickly sweet scent, that is usually found in humid places in Mediterranean Region and central Europe. Stems, which range from 40 to 80 cm, are hairy, erect and sparsely branched. Leaves are sessile and rugose, and range from ovate-oblong to suborbicular. Flowers are grouped in verticillasters that are usually congested forming a terminal spike. Calyx is campanulate and hairy, and corolla is whitish or pink.

Flowering takes place from May to December.

The photo was taken near the “Arroyo Pedroche” (Córdoba) in October 5, 2017.

M. suaveolens has been used in the traditional medicine of Mediterranean areas and has a wide range of effects: tonic, stimulating, stomachic, carminative, analgesic, choleretic, antispasmodic, sedative, hypotensive and insecticidal. Moreover it shows depressor activity, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. More info here

Satureja intricata Lange

Dwarf shrub that inhabits in the mountains of SE Spain. Stems are hispid. Leaves are obovate, dentate (with three rudimentary teeth) and glabrous or with short hairs. Flowers are grouped into spike-like inflorescences. Calyx is sparsely puberulent and corolla is white and sometimes tinged with pink.

Flowering occurs from June to November.

The photo was taken near the “Borreguil de San Juan” (Sierra Nevada, Granada), at about 2500 m.a.s.l., in July 10, 2015.

Teucrium webbianum Boiss.

Dwarf shrub that is usually found on calcareous screes and mountain pastures in S.E. Spain from 800-1800 m. Stems are shortly hairy. Leaves are petiolate, oblong-lanceolate to linear, entire or crenate and grey tomentose. Flowers are grouped into racemes. Calyx teeth (5) are unequal and corolla is purple to creamish.

The photo was taken in Sierra Nevada, near the Trevenque, at about 1600 m.a.s.l., in June 10, 2017.

Teucrium rotundifolium Schreb.

This small villous herb is usually found in calcareous rock crevices, screes and mountain walls of southern Spain and Morocco, between 500 and 2300 m. Its stems have patent hairs and the leaves are crenate and petiolate. Flowers are grouped in terminal heads, with purple or white corollae.

The photo was taken near Monachil, Granada in August 12, 2017.

Origanum vulgare subsp. virens (Hoffmanns. & Link) Bonnier & Layens

This is a woody, rhizomatous and perennial plant that can be found in Iberian Peninsula, Macaronesia, and NW of Africa. Stems can reach up to 130 cm and are hirsute or pubescent and branched above. Leaves are ovate, entire,  glandular punctate, and peciolate. Inflorescences, in the form of a thyrse, are lax and somewhat sphaerical. Bracts are green or somewhat purple and flowers are white or cream.

Take a look at this site to learn a bit more of the properties of Origanum vulgare http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266259.php

This species usually flowers between May and November.

This photo was taken in “Trasierra” (Córdoba) in June 17, 2017.

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