Lepechinia betonicifolia
Native from southern Colombia to Ecuador, it is an aromatic shrub found along forest edges, roadside banks and scrubland. Its small white flowers form branched clusters, and its leaf aroma combines woody, herbaceous and citrus notes. Its essential oil contains beta-pinene and sabinene as major constituents. The species is listed as Vulnerable in Colombia’s national plant assessment. In NariƱo, it is known as matico. Photographed in Medellin, Colombia.
