Region: Canary Islands, Madeira.
Habitat: prefers mild and dry climates, very well-drained soil, sunny position.
BotanyEvergreen shrubs.
Stems: square in cross-section.
Leaves: opposite; aromatic when crushed.
Inflorescence: much-branched clusters.
Flowers: tiny; sepals plume-like, elongate at the fruiting stage, giving the whole tip of each branch a fussy appearance.
TaxonomyMany species names have been proposed for members of this genus, but most of them have been moved to other genera, particularly Clinopodium, Minthostachys, Cuminia, and Mesosphaerum.