Common Name: |
Short-toothed Mountain Mint |
Scientific Name: |
Pycnanthemum muticum |
Other Name(s): |
Aka Clustered mountainmint, Big Leaf Mountain Mint, Cluster Mountain Mint |
Category: |
Herb/Forb |
Habit: |
Herbaceous perennial |
Bloom Color: |
Light pink |
Bloom Size: |
Two-lipped tubular flowers (each to 1/2in. wide) in dense flat-topped terminal (sometimes axillary) clusters, with each cluster being subtended and highlighted by a pair of unique and showy silvery fringeless leaf-like bracts located near the base of the cluster |
Bloom Season: |
Summer |
Fragrance: |
Leaves which have a strong mint-like (spearmint) aroma when crushed |
Foliage Description: |
Densely leaved mountain mint features dark green leaves. Branched stems (mostly square in cross section) are clad with nearly sessile, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate (pointed), dark green leaves (to 2 1/4 in. long) with round to heart-shaped bases and toothed margins |
Height of Plant: |
1-3 ft. |
Spread of Plant: |
1-3 ft. |
Growth Rate: |
Fast growing |
Hardiness: |
USDA Zones 4 - 8 |
Light Requirements: |
Full sun to part shade |
Water Usage: |
High to low |
Moisture Requirement(s): |
Moist, well-drained |
Soil Type: |
Sandy, loam and clay; edge of woodlands, meadows and forests |
Soil pH: |
Acid, neutral, alkaline |
Native Range: |
Native to Eastern North America (Maine to Michigan to Illinois and Missouri south to Florida and Texas) |
Usage: |
Insect repellant |
Maintenance: |
Low |
Other Information: |
Native Americans used this plant for treatment of fevers, colds, stomach aches, and other minor physical ailments |
Photographer: |
Debi Bradford |
Location: |
N-11 |