Molucella laevis

MOLUCELLA laevis
Bells of Ireland

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Type:
Annual

Height: 18" (45cm)

Flowering Time: Summer

Flower Colour: Green

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Botanical Classification:

Class:
Angiospermae (Angiosperms)

Subclass: Dicotyledonae (Dicotyledons)

Superorder: Asteridae (Daisy Superorder)

Order: Lamiales (Nettle Order)

Family: Lamiaceae (Nettle Family)

Genus: Molucella

Species: laevis (smooth)

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Molucella laevis is a member of the Mint Family, but is very different from most of them. The leaves are the usual pointed, toothed shape, and the stem is square. It is a dense, leafy plant around 2' high, and all parts except the true flower are bright pale green. The 'flowers' are large, rounded green veined cups with the small greyish-white lipped true flower in the centre. My books say it is fragrant, but I find the smell bitter and unpleasant.
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Harvesting and Growing from Seed:

Germination:
Spring
Outside (3 days)
Winter
Outside (168 days)

Seed Pod There is no seedpod. The seeds are at the bottom of the large calyx.
Seed The seeds are small dark brown woody chips. Thee are four seeds from each flower.
Seedling The seedleaves are rounded. The first true leaves are pointed.

(You can check the meaning of any technical terms new to you in the Botany section of the site)

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				Germination: Spring Outside (3 days) Winter Outside (168 days)
Seed Pod There is no seedpod. The seeds are at the bottom of the large calyx. Seed The seeds are small dark brown woody chips. Thee are four seeds from each flower. Seedling The seedleaves are rounded. The first true leaves are pointed.