Acanthomintha

Taxobox
name = "Acanthomintha"


image_width = 250px
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Lamiaceae
genus = "Acanthomintha"
genus_authority = Gray

"Acanthomintha" is a genus of the Lamiaceae, or mint family. The "Acanthomintha" genus is commonly referred to as Thornmint. There are a number of species within this genus, including the endangered species "Acanthomintha duttonii". All four thornmints are native to the California Floristic Province. The origin of the genus name is from the identical Greek word meaning "thornmint".

There are four species of "Acanthomintha":

*"Acanthomintha duttonii" (Abrams) Jokerst: San Mateo thorn-mint
*"Acanthomintha ilicifolia" (Gray): San Diego thorn-mint, San Diego thornmint
*"Acanthomintha lanceolata" (Curran): Santa Clara thorn-mint
*"Acanthomintha obovata" (Jepson): San Benito thorn-mint

Genus morphology

All thornmints are aromatic annual wildflowers with erect stems and petioled leaves. Inflorescences of thornmints are head-like, in clusters and terminal in form. In the The "Acanthomintha" genus leaf veins are conspicuous and the leaf margins are always spiny, leading to the common name. The characteristics of the genus flower are with a two-lipped calyx and lobes spine-tipped, re-inforcing the basis of the common name. All "Acanthomintha" have the upper three lobes of its calyx acuminate and the lower two lobes oblong in shape. "Acanthomintha" corollae are funnel shaped, always white, but sometimes with a tinging of rose or lavender color. The corolla throat is cream colored and its upper lip is hooded, while the longer lower lip is reflexed and three-lobed. All "Acanthomintha" have four stamens, with the upper two reduced, whether they are sterile or not. Thornmint styles are slender and their fruit is ovoid in shape with smooth exterior texture.

ee also

*Crystal Springs Reservoir

External links

* [http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32425 Thornmint taxonomy]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ACANT2 USDA Plants Profile]