Phlomis

Taxobox
name = "Phlomis"

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image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Phlomis fruticosa"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Lamiaceae
genus = "Phlomis"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = About 100, including: "Phlomis alpina" "Phlomis armeniaca" "Phlomis bovei" "Phlomis bracteosa" "Phlomis cashmeriana" "Phlomis chrysophylla" "Phlomis ferruginea" "Phlomis fruticosa" "Phlomis grandiflora" "Phlomis herba-venti" "Phlomis italica" "Phlomis lanata" "Phlomis longifolia" "Phlomis lychnitis" "Phlomis lycia" "Phlomis milingensis" "Phlomis pratensis" "Phlomis pungens" "Phlomis purpurea" "Phlomis rotata" "Phlomis russeliana" "Phlomis samia" "Phlomis setigera" "Phlomis tuberosa" "Phlomis umbrosa" "Phlomis viscosa"

"Phlomis" is a genus of about 100 species of herbaceous plants, subshrubs and shrubs in the family Lamiaceae, native from the Mediterranean region east across central Asia to China. Common names include Jerusalem Sage and Lampwick Plant.

The overall size varies between species from 30 cm tall up to 2 m tall. The leaves are entire, opposite and decussate (each leaf pair at right angles to the next) and rugose or reticulate veined. The bracts (floral leaves) are similar or different from the lower leaves. All parts are frequently covered with hairs. Bracteoles, ovate, lanceolate or linear. The flowers are arranged in whorls (verticillasters) round the stems which are usually square in section with rounded corners, although tomentum on the stems can make them appear circular. The colour of the flowers varies from yellow to pink, purple and white. The calyx is tubular or campanulate with five or ten veins visible. Five teeth, either all equal or with the outer two longer than the others. The upper lip is hood shaped and laterally compressed ("P. tuberosa", however, has an uncompressed lip with a dense bearded edge). The lower lip is "trifid", the central lobe being larger than the lateral ones. There are four stamens ascending under the upper lip. Anther with forked end, the upper fork being shorter than the lower. The fruits are four three-sided, nutlets, and sometimes topped with hair, sometimes glabrous. The root system can be very extensive; roots of 6 week seedlings have been measured at 0.7 m.

"Phlomis" species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the "Coleophora" case-bearers "C. phlomidella" and "C. phlomidis", which both feed exclusively on "Phlomis spp".

There is a NCCPG National Plant Collection of "Phlomis"

References

* [http://www.manntaylor.com/phlomis.html NCCPG National Plant Collection of Phlomis]