Hyptis pectinata (L.) Poit.
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Lamiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Erect herb or subshrub to 2 m tall; branches lateral, ascending; stem obtusely 4-angled, hollow, sparsely puberulent. Leaf blades 3-8 x 2-4.5 cm, ovate, aromatic, chartaceous, pubescent, especially along lower surface, with numerous glandular dots, the apex acute to acuminate, the base obtuse to nearly truncate, the margins serrate to double serrate; petioles 1-3.5 cm long. Flowers shortpedicellate, in axillary racemes or terminal panicles; peduncle ca. 2 mm long; bracts filiform, ca. 5 mm long; calyx green, nearly bell-shaped, 5.5-6 mm long, whitish-pubescent, the lobes bristlelike, 1.5-2 mm long, with tufts of hairs between lobes; corolla lavender to pink, 1.5-2 mm long, pubescent without; stamens slightly exserted. Nutlets 4, ca. 0.9 mm long, oblong, black, smooth.
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Discussion
Common name: French tea.
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Distribution
A common weed of disturbed, open ground. Bordeaux area (A2587). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda; a pantropical weed.
Virgin Gorda Virgin Islands South America| Tortola Virgin Islands South America| Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint Croix Virgin Islands of the United States South America|