Beefsteak Plant
Perilla frutescens
Lamiaceae (Mint) Family

Plant is an upright, freely branching, hairy annual. Preferred habitat is roadsides, woods and pastures. Distribution is throughout the Escambia region.

Leaves are opposite on the stem; stalked, egg-shaped. Leaf tip is pointed and sides are less than equal. Margins are toothed and base is attached to steam between lobes or may be rounded.

Flowers are at the end of the stem of may be in the leaf axil; raceme or panicle. Calyx has two lips. Corolla is white to lavender with four stamens that extend beyond it.

Fruit is an ovary with two or more seed chambers.

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© 2004 Darryl Searcy
Last Modified: Sun Sep 2 09:01:28 2007