Mesosphaerum suaveolens
Mesosphaerum suaveolens, synonym Hyptis suaveolens, chia, pignut, or chan, is a branching pseudocereal plant native to tropical regions of Mexico, Central, the West Indies, and South America, as well as being naturalized in tropical parts of Africa, Asia and Australia. It is generally 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) tall, occasionally up to 3 m (9.8 ft). Stems are hairy, and square in cross section. Leaves are oppositely arranged, 2–10 cm (0.79–3.94 in) long, with shallowly toothed margins, and emit a strong minty odor if crushed. Flowers are pink or purple, arranged in clusters of 1–5 in the upper leaf axils.
Mesosphaerum suaveolens | |
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Mesosphaerum suaveolens (Vilayti Tulsi) in Hyderabad | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Mesosphaerum |
Species: | M. suaveolens |
Binomial name | |
Mesosphaerum suaveolens | |
Synonyms | |
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