Calyx ovate-bell-shaped, hairy in the throat, striate, 5-toothed. Tube of the corolla about the length of the calyx, 2-lipped; the upper lip rather erect and slightly notched, the lower longer, of 3 nearly equal spreading lobes. Stamens 4, exserted, diverging.—Perennials, with nearly entire leaves, and purplish flowers crowded in cylindrical or oblong spikes, imbricated with colored bracts. (An ancient Greek name, composed of ὄρος, a mountain, and γάνος, delight.)
O. vulgàre, L. Upright, hairy, corymbose at the summit; leaves petioled, round-ovate; bracts ovate, obtuse, purplish.—Roadsides, Atlantic States. June–Oct. (Nat. from Eu.)
13. THỲMUS, Tourn. Thyme.
Calyx ovate, 2-lipped, 13-nerved, hairy in the throat; the upper lip 3-toothed, spreading; the lower 2-cleft, with the awl-shaped divisions ciliate. Corolla short, slightly 2-lipped; the upper lip straight and flattish, notched at the apex, the lower 3-cleft. Stamens 4, straight and distant, usually exserted.—Low perennials, with small and entire strongly-veined leaves, and purplish or whitish flowers. (The ancient Greek name of the Thyme, probably from θύω, to burn perfume, because it was used for incense.)
T. Serpýllum, L. (Creeping Thyme.) Prostrate; leaves green, flat, ovate, entire, short-petioled; flowers crowded at the ends of the branches.—Old fields, E. Mass. to Penn. (Adv. from Eu.)
14. SATURÈIA, Tourn. Savory.
Calyx bell shaped, 10-nerved, equally 5-toothed, naked in the throat. Corolla 2-lipped; the upper lip erect, flat, nearly entire, the lower 3-cleft. Stamens 4, somewhat ascending.—Aromatic plants, with narrow entire leaves, often clustered, and somewhat spiked purplish flowers. (The ancient Latin name.)
S. horténsis, L. (Summer Savory.) Pubescent annual; clusters few-flowered; bracts small or none.—Escaping from gardens and sparingly wild in Ohio to Ill., etc. (Adv. from Eu.)
15. CALAMÍNTHA, Tourn. Calamint.
Calyx tubular, 13-nerved, mostly hairy in the throat, 2-lipped; the upper lip 3-cleft, the lower 2-cleft. Corolla with a straight tube and an inflated throat, distinctly 2-lipped; the upper lip erect, flattish, entire or notched; the lower spreading, 3-parted, the middle lobe usually largest. Stamens 4, mostly ascending; the anthers usually approximate in pairs.—Perennials, with mostly purplish or whitish flowers, produced all summer; inflorescence various. (Name composed of καλός, beautiful, and μίνθα, Mint.)