04 - unknown
This plant was found on a manure heap at Standish
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A conifer about the size
of a Tree Erica
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This plant was found to be established on a wall at Martholme, near Great Harwood, Lancashire by Peter Jepson. A voucher specimen has been collected by DP Earl from which the set of images displayed here have been taken.
It is thought that this plant may be a member of the Lamiaceae (Deadnettle family) as the flowers appear to consist of 5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals, 4 stamens and a style with 2 stigmas. At maturity the calyx tube appears to contain 4 seeds.
Note the leaves which are long stalked, ovate and have a cordate base. The flower spikes become very elongated at the fruiting stage.
The stems of the plant are square in section and clothed with numerous adpressed hairs.
The Martholme plant is possibly Teucrium hircanicum - Iranian Wood-sage / Iranian
Germander. Suggestions for the genus Teucrium from Peter Llewellyn and
the species Teucrium hircanicum by Peter Jepson.
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