Teucrium

Teucrium
Tree Germander (Teucrium fruticans)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Subfamily:	Ajugoideae
Genus:	Teucrium L. (1753)
Type species
Teucrium fruticans L.
Species
Several, see text
Synonyms
Monochilon Dulac Holocheila (Kudô) S. Chow Kinostemon Kudô Source: ING

Teucrium is a genus of perennial plants in the family Lamiaceae. The name is believed to refer to King Teucer of Troy. Members of the genus are commonly known as germanders. These species are herbs, shrubs or subshrubs. They are most common in Mediterranean climates.

An unusual feature of this genus compared with other members of Lamiaceae is that the flowers completely lack the upper lip of the corolla, although it is somewhat reduced also in other genera (Ajuga among them).

Several species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the Coleophora case-bearers Coleophora auricella and Coleophora chamaedriella. The latter is only known from Wall Germander (T. chamaedrys).

Teucrium species are rich in essential oils. They are valued as ornamental plants and a pollen source, and some species have culinary and/or medical value.

Selected species

Teucrium capitatum

Teucrium ajugaceum F.M.Bailey & F.Muell. ex F.M.Bailey Teucrium almeriense C.E.Hubb. & Sandwith Teucrium arduinoi L. Teucrium argutum Teucrium aroanium Teucrium balfourii Vierh. Teucrium balthazaris Sennen Teucrium betonicum L'Hér. Teucrium botrys L. – Cut-leaved Germander Teucrium canadense L. – American Germander Teucrium capitatum Teucrium carolipaui C.Vicioso ex Pau Teucrium chamaedrys L. – Wall Germander Teucrium chardonianum – Aouioura Germander Teucrium coahuilanum B.L.Turner Teucrium corymbosum R.Br. Teucrium creticum L. Teucrium cossonii – Fruity Teucrium Teucrium cubense Jacq. – Small Coastal Germander Teucrium demnatense Teucrium divaricatum Teucrium flavum L. – Yellow Germander Teucrium fruticans L. – Tree Germander, Shrubby Germander, Bush Germander Teucrium glandulosum Kellogg – Common Germander Teucrium gnaphalodes L’Hér.

Teucrium grandiusculum Teucrium heterophyllum Teucrium japonicum Teucrium laciniatum – Lacy Germander Teucrium lepicephalum Pau Teucrium marum L. – Cat Thyme Teucrium massiliense L. Teucrium montanum L. Teucrium orientale L. – Oriental Germander Teucrium polium L. – Felty Germander Teucrium pseudochamaepitys L. Teucrium puechiae Greuter & Burdet Teucrium pyrenaicum Teucrium racemosum Teucrium scordium L. – Water Germander Teucrium scorodonia L. – Woodland Germander Teucrium socotranum Vierh. Teucrium subspinosum Pourr. ex Willd. Teucrium townsendii Teucrium townsendii ssp. affine Teucrium townsendii var. townsendii Teucrium vesicarium Mill. Teucrium viscidum Blume Teucrium werneri – Jbel Kest Germander

Formerly placed here

• Ajuga chamaepitys (L.) Schreb. (as T. chamaepitys L.)

See also

• Diascordium
• Venice treacle

External links

• USDA PLANTS Profile