Lophanthus
(from lophos, a crest, and anthos, a flower; in allusion to the crenated or crested middle lobe of lower lip of corolla). Giant Hyssop. ORD. Labiatae. A genus comprising six species of hardy or half-hardy erect herbs, with the habit of Nepeta, natives of North America and extra-tropical Eastern Asia. Corolla blue or purplish; tube as long as the calyx, or shortly exserted; limb two-lipped; whorls many-flowered, sometimes densely crowded in terminal spikes, sometimes in axillary cymes. Nutlets ovoid, smooth. Leaves toothed; floral ones often reduced to short ovate and acuminate bracts. The undermentioned species are hardy perennials, and grow well in ordinary soil. Propagated by divisions. All the plants here described are North American. L. anisatus (Anise-scented).* Anise Hyssop. fl. blue; calyx teeth lanceolate, acute. July. l. ovate, acute, glaucous, white with minute down underneath, scented like Anise. h. 3ft. 1826. (B. R. 1282.) L. nepetoides (Nepeta-like). fl., corolla pale greenish-yellow; calyx teeth ovate, rather obtuse, little shorter than the corolla; spikes 2in. to 6in. long, crowded with bracts. July. l. ovate, somewhat pointed, coarsely crenate-toothed, 2in. to 4in. long. Stem stout, 4ft. to 6ft. high, sharply four-angled. 1692.
L. scrophulariaefolius (Figwort-leaved).* fl., corolla purplish; calyx teeth lanceolate, acute, shorter than the corolla; spikes 4in. to 15in. long. July. l. ovate or somewhat cordate, acute; lower surface, as well as the stem, more or less pubescent. h. 5ft. 1800.
L. urticifolius (Urtica-leaved). fl. purplish, or white and pink, with much-exserted stamens; spikes dense, oblong, 2in. to 3in. long. Late summer. l. cordate-ovate, crenated, stalked. Stem square, branched. h. 3ft. to 4ft. 1826.