Desert lavender
Hyptis emoryi

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub. It grows 3 m tall. There are many slender branches. They have a white coating. The leaves are oval and 2-5 cm long. There are rounded teeth along the edge. Flowers are in groups. They are violet to blue.

There are about 350-400 Hyptis species. Most are tropical or subtropical.

Where it is found

It suits a Mediterranean climate. It grows in deserts. It is sensitive to frosts. Melbourne Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for tea. The seeds were used whole, roasted or ground.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Mesosphaerum emoryi (Torr.) Kuntze;