Nepeta mussinii Henckel

Densely hairy perennial, forming low spreading dense clumps. Petioles 1–2 cm long. Lamina c. 1.5–2.5 × 1–1.5 cm, ovate, grey-tomentose above and below, ± crenate; base subcordate or cordate; apex obtuse. Infl. terminal, spike-like, spreading to suberect, diffuse. Calyx 5–7 mm long, tomentose, often bluish; teeth lanceolate. Corolla 9–11 mm long to apex of erect upper lip, blue or mauve-blue with purplish dots on lower lip; tube ± curved, > calyx, tomentose outside; upper lip with 2 rounded lobes, tomentose outside; lower lip glabrous towards apex, otherwise tomentose. Anthers violet-blue. Style violet-blue towards apex. Nutlets c. 2 mm long, oblong, dark brown, obtusely ridged down central side.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Apr.