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Virginia Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum virginianum
Virginia Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum virginianum
Virginia Mountain Mint is quite common in Virginia. It normally blooms between July and September. It has this long bloom season because it blooms from the out inward. The flower does this so it can be pollinated for longer then it would be if all the flowers bloomed at once. It does not seem like there are any non-native lookalikes for Virginia Mountain Mint so there's nothing to worry about! The ideal planting conditions for the mint are in direct sunlit in moist soil but it can survive in part shade and in clay. Historically the plant has been used for treating fevers and mild colds. It is also used for its nice minty aroma.
Credits:
https://www.mayernikkitchen.com/medicinal-plants/mountain-mint
https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2019/06/14/native-plant-profile-mountain-mint-pycnanthemum-spp/
Images:
https://www.gardenia.net/plant/pycnanthemum-incanum
Second image is a picture I took in our own native garden!
Virginia Mountain Mint is a species of Lamiaceae found mainly in Virginia. There are over 3,500 species of Lamiaceae worldwide. Many of these species come from the Mediterranean region and are used to make spices and flavorings such as various mint flavors, oregano, marjoram, thyme, sage, and basil.
Virginia Mountain Mint is used in many essential oils and is also proven to help with headaches, fevers, colds, coughs and indigestion.
Virginia Mountain Mint is attractive to many types of insects. Though the ones most attracted to it are pollinators like bees, butterflies, some flies, and even some beetles. Even though the mint produces a lot of seeds birds don't seem to like eating them likely because of the taste.
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