Largeflower False Rosemary, Scrub Mint

Conradina grandiflora Small

con-rah-DINE-ah grand-ah-FLORA-ah

Lamiaceae

Explanation of name: Genus commemorates Solomon White Conrad (1779-1831), Philadelphia botanist. Grandiflora means large flower.

Natural range: Endemic to (and Threatened) in Florida (WU2)

Natural habitat: Scrub, sandhills, dunes, sandy oak woodlands (WU1)

Recognition: Leaves short, narrow, linear, single-veined, and tough, reminiscent of hemlock needles. Top of leaf densely pubescent, the lower surface less so or glabrate. Flowers showy, strongly bilabiate with conspicuous stamens and style, purple-spotted on  paler white to violet background

Landscape uses: Attractive wildflower in extreme dry, sandy habitats