Woolly Blue Curls is a plant native to the southwestern U.S. and Baja California. It is more commonly encountered in gardens, however, in this case those of Tilden Park in Berkeley.
Phinahina or Beach vitexLamiaceae (Mint family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (All the main islands except Kahoolawe). Naturalized only in southeastern states along the east and gulf coasts.Photo: Oahu (Cultivated)Phinahina leaves are aromatic with a sage-like spicy odor when crushed and smelling much like the simpleleaf vitex (Vitex trifolia) frequently used in Hawaiian landscaping as hedges. Other descriptions of the leaf fragrance are black pepper, basil, minty, and fir trees or "like being in a forest."EtymologyThe generic name Vitex is derived from the Latin viere, to bind or twist, in reference to the flexible creeping stems of some species.The specific epithet rotundifolia is from the Latin rotundatus, rounded, and folius, leaves, in reference to the round-shaped leaves of this species.NPH00002nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Vitex_rotundifolia
Phinahina or Beach vitexLamiaceaeIndigenous to the Hawaiian Islands Oahu (Cultivated)Phinahina leaves are aromatic with a sage-like spicy odor when crushed and smelling much like the simpleleaf vitex (Vitex trifolia) frequently used in Hawaiian landscaping as hedges.Other descriptions of the leaf fragrance are black pepper, basil, minty, and fir trees or "like being in a forest."NPH00001nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Vitex_rotundifolia
Ocimum basilicumbasil. A staple of Italian cuisine also known as sweet basil and Genovese basil, the herb has been cultivated since time immemorial, reaching the Mediterraneum well before the beginning of the Current Era. The specimen photographed was purchased at Berkeley Bowl
