germander n : any of various plants of the genus Teucrium

Teucrium is a genus of perennial plants, of the family Lamiaceae. Common names for this genus include germanders. These species are herbs, shrubs or subshrubs. They are most common in Mediterranean climates.

A unique feature of this genus among 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 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.

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

Selected species

• Teucrium ajugaceum
• Teucrium argutum
• Teucrium balfourii
• Teucrium balthazaris
• Teucrium botrys – Cut-leaved Germander
• Teucrium canadense – American Germander
• Teucrium capitatum
• Teucrium chamaedrys – Wall Germander
• Teucrium corymbosum
• Teucrium cossonii – Fruity Teucrium
• Teucrium cubense
• Teucrium flavum – Yellow Germander
• Teucrium fruticans – Bush Germander
• Teucrium glandulosum
• Teucrium grandiusculum
• Teucrium laciniatum – Lacy Germander
• Teucrium marum   Cat Thyme
• Teucrium polium – Felty Germander
• Teucrium pyrenaicum
• Teucrium racemosum
• Teucrium scordium – Water Germander
• Teucrium scorodonia – Woodland Germander
• Teucrium socotranum
• Teucrium townsendii
  • Teucrium townsendii ssp. affine
  • Teucrium townsendii var. townsendii

See also

• Diascordium
• Venice treacle

References

External links