Hyssopus

views updated

Hyssopus (hyssop; family Labiatae) A genus of aromatic, perennial herbs which are woody below, with narrow to linear leaves, and flowers in whorls. The calyx has 5 nearly equal teeth, and a 2-lipped corolla. Formerly hyssop was much used as a flavouring, and it is still sometimes grown for ornament. There are 5 species, occurring from the Mediterranean region to central Asia.