Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit.

Cotyledons

The cotyledons are petiolate. Their lamina is sub-trapezoidal in shape with a truncated base and a weakly emarginated apex.

First leaves

The first leaves are opposite, oval-shaped, with a toothed and ciliated margin, short pubescence on the veins.

Habit

Aromatic annual herb more or less branched, erect, to 0.5-2 m high, entirely covered with a red or gray pubescence.

Underground system

A tap root

Stem

The stem is 4-angle and reaches 2.5 cm thick. It has at its surface longitudinal ridges marked where a grooved section. It is generally branched in its upper side part with erect branches. It is covered with long white hair and small erect glandular hairs.

Leaf

The leaves are simple, opposite and decussate. The petiole, well-marked, measures 2-4 cm long. The basal leaves are oval, the upper ones are elliptical. The blade is 2 to 10 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. It has a base rounded to slightly cordate, apex acute or obtuse and margin irregularly serrate. Both sides are hairy and dotted with small glands.

Inflorescence

Small loose racemes, stalked, 2 to 5 flowers shortly stalked, in axillary position.

Flower

Calyx campanulate shaped ends with 5 teeth nearly equal, rigid tip acute. It measures 4 to 6 mm. Its surface glandular and pubescent is marked by 10 ribs. It continues to grow after flowering, up to 11 mm long. Corolla, color blue, slightly exceeding the calyx tube. It is modest in size, 8 mm long, middle lobe of lower lip divided into 3 parts. The four stamens are inserted in the top quarter of the corolla tube where they are included. The ovary is divided into four lobes. He wears a style filiform ending in a short bilobed stigma.

Fruit

The fruit is a nutlet compressed and truncated at the apex, with black color. It measures 2.5 mm long and 2 mm wide. Its surface is often wrinkled.

China: Hyptis suaveolens flowers and fruits all year round.
Nicaragua: Hyptis suaveolens flowers from September to March and fruits from September to June.

 Hyptis suaveolens is a ruderal species, and a common weed in crops.

China: Hyptis suaveolens is a ruderal species that grows in open waste areas.
India: Hyptis suaveolens occurs near houses, roads, forest roads and in disturbed areas. It is widespread in Pakhal Wildlife Reserve in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India, invading the central zone and moving up the hills. As a result, it often occupies the pastures of wild animals and cattle.
Madagascar: This species occurs throughout the northwestern and northern parts of the country, with high abundance in fallows and along canals and crops.
Nicaragua: A very common species in disturbed areas, in all parts of the country; from 0 to 1000 m altitude.

Host of pests and diseases

Hyptis suaveolens is a host of Rotylenchus reniformis (pineapple and avocado kidney nematode) and a minor host of Helicoverpa armigera (tomato moth, maize earworm and cotton bollworm).

Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT Hyptis suaveolens : https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Hyptis%2520suaveolens

Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT Mesosphaerum suaveolens : https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Mesosphaerum%2520suaveolens