Verticillaster

verticillaster [ vur-tuh-si-LAS-ter ] noun: a mixed inflorescence consisting of two opposite dichasial cymes

The verticillasters of Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' — Dichasial cymes (dichasiums) of *Salvia guaranitica* ‘Black and Blue’ verticillasters. Photo © Mary Free

Widely separated verticillasters of Salvia lyrata (lyre-leaf sage) — Widely separated verticillasters of native *Salvia lyrata* (lyre-leaf sage) showing development of dichasial cymes from buds that arise from a single point in the nodes of opposite leaf axils to blossoms where the terminal (middle) flower blooms first from April to May (left to right). Photos © Elaine Mills

Flower clusters of nearly sessile, dichasial cymes arise from a single point in the nodes of opposite leaf axils. These verticillasters are sometimes referred to as false whorls as they give that appearance when the two flower clusters are crowded and meet each other on the stem. Verticillasters are usually found in the Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, mint or sage family).

Showy bracts subtend the dichasial cymes developing here in native Monarda punctata in August — In native *Monarda punctata* (spotted beebalm), showy bracts subtend the dichasial cymes developing here in August. Photo © Mary Free

Terminal and axillary verticillasters of native Monarda punctata (spotted beebalm) — Terminal and axillary verticillasters of native *Monarda punctata* (spotted beebalm) in September. Photo © Mary Free

Terminal spikes of flowers (verticllasters) of Agastache foeniculum (blue giant hyssop) — Terminal spikes of small, dense verticllasters of *Agastache foeniculum* (blue giant hyssop) with a two-spotted bumble bee in May. Photo © Mary Free

Flowers (verticillasters) of native Blephilia hirsuta (hairy wood mint) — Separated and contiguous upper pairs of verticillasters of native *Blephilia hirsuta* (hairy wood mint) in June. Photo © Elaine Mills

Flowers (verticillasters) of native Pycnanthemum muticum (short-toothed mountain mint) — Terminal and axillary, densely packed verticillasters subtended by canescent bracts of native
*Pycnanthemum muticum* in July. Photo © Mary Free