List of Lamiales of Montana facts for kids
The Lamiales order is a large group of plants that includes many well-known families, like the borage, mint, and verbena families. In Montana, you can find at least 101 different kinds of plants from this order. Some of these plants are exotics, meaning they were brought to Montana from other places and are not native. Other species are considered Species of Concern, which means they need special attention to protect them.
The Borage Family: Boraginaceae
The borage family, known as Boraginaceae, includes many plants with beautiful flowers. You might recognize some of them, like the Borago officinalis, which is also called common borage. This plant often has bright blue, star-shaped flowers.
Another well-known plant in this family is the Myosotis scorpioides, or true forget-me-not. These tiny flowers are famous for their delicate blue petals and yellow centers. Other members of this family found in Montana include different types of Cryptantha, often called cat's-eye plants, and Mertensia, known as bluebells.
Here are a few examples of borage family plants found in Montana:
- Borago officinalis, common borage
- Anchusa azurea, Italian bugloss
- Cynoglossum officinale, common hound's-tongue
- Echium vulgare, common viper's-bugloss
- Mertensia ciliata, streamside bluebells
- Myosotis scorpioides, true forget-me-not
- Symphytum officinale, common comfrey
The Mint Family: Lamiaceae
The mint family, or Lamiaceae, is famous for its many fragrant plants. Many herbs we use in cooking, like Mentha spicata (spearmint) and Origanum vulgare (oregano), belong to this family. These plants often have square stems and leaves that grow opposite each other.
One interesting plant in this family is Nepeta cataria, or catnip. As its name suggests, cats often love this plant! Other members include Monarda fistulosa, known as beebalm, which attracts bees and other pollinators. You might also find Prunella vulgaris, or self-heal, a common plant with purple flowers.
Here are some examples of mint family plants you can find in Montana:
- Agastache foeniculum, lavender hyssop
- Hyssopus officinalis, hyssop
- Lamium amplexicaule, common deadnettle
- Mentha arvensis, wild mint
- Nepeta cataria, catnip
- Origanum vulgare, oregano
- Prunella vulgaris, self-heal
- Salvia sclarea, clary sage
The Verbena Family: Verbenaceae
The verbena family, called Verbenaceae, includes plants that often have small, clustered flowers. Many verbena species are known for their long-lasting blooms and are popular in gardens. In Montana, you can find several types of Verbena, also known as vervain.
One common type is Verbena hastata, or swamp verbena, which often grows in wet areas. These plants can have tall spikes of purple or blue flowers. Another one is Verbena bracteata, known as large-bract verbena.
Here are the main types of verbena family plants found in Montana:
- Verbena bipinnatifida, Dakota vervain
- Verbena bracteata, large-bract verbena
- Verbena hastata, swamp verbena
- Verbena stricta, hoary verbena
