Re: [gardeners] toxic mints
Kay Lancaster (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Fri, 18 Jan 2002 08:48:24 -0800 (PST)
On Fri, 18 Jan 2002, penny x stamm wrote:
>
> Boy, Kay -- there is so much still to learn.......
>
> Now, are you actually saying that oregano IS a mint?
Yes, it is... suspect herbs and shrubs with square stems and opposite
leaves and minty or aromatic herbs of being mints. Especially if they
have spikes of small, bilaterally symmetrical flowers at the ends of
branches, or repeated whorls of flowers at the ends of stems.
See:
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/301Manhart/Dicots/Asteridae/Lam/Lam.html
Other members of the mint family include Mentha, true mints;
Rosmarinus, rosemary; Salvia, sage and St. Johns fire; Ajuga, bugle;
Prunella, healall; Ocimum, basil; Plectranthus, Swedish ivy; Monarda,
balm
Some photos of some members of the mint family:
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/lami.htm
http://www.nfmuseum.com/flora_lamiaceae_index.htm
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/imaxxlam.htm
Kay