Common name: Bee Leaf Stachys
Botanical name: Stachys melissaefolia Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Bee Leaf Stachys is a perennial herb with erect stems growing up to 60-80 cm. The slender stems have many branches. Leaf blade ovate-cordate to oblong-cordate, 5-6 × ca. 2.3 cm, cordate, margin cut into rounded teeth, stalk 0.6-2.5 cm. Floral leaves stalkless. Flowers occur in an upright spike. Flowers are reddish pink, to 1.3 cm, two-lipped. The upper lip straight like a hood, ovate, 3 mm, margin entire; lower lip to 6 mm, lateral lobes ovate; middle lobe largest, inverted heart-shaped. Stamens reaching middle of upper lip. Style slightly protruding out. Found at altitudes of 3100 m in India and Nepal. Flowering: July-August
| Photographed in Valley of Flowers, Uttaranchal. |
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