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Pycnanthemum flexuosum - Britton.

Common Name Mountain Mint, Appalachian mountainmint
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Upland prairies, pastures, meadows, open woodland and roadsides[228].
Range Eastern N. America - Maine to Florida, New York, Minnesota, Kansas and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Pycnanthemum flexuosum Mountain Mint, Appalachian mountainmint


William S. Justice @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Pycnanthemum flexuosum Mountain Mint, Appalachian mountainmint
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Pycnanthemum flexuosum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Koellia flexuosa.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

One report says that the plant is used for food, but gives no details[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic  Diaphoretic  Febrifuge  Stomachic

The leaves and flowering stems are popularly used in the treatment of bowel complaints[207]. A hot infusion of the plant is diaphoretic[207]. The plant is also used internally in the treatment of stomach upsets, fevers, colds and sinus headaches[238, 257]. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches[257]. A warm infusion of the plant has been used to bathe an inflamed penis[257]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and can be used fresh or dried.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils[1] but prefers a rich loamy soil in full sun or partial shade with plenty of moisture in the growing season[200]. Hardy to at least -15°c[200]. The correct name for this species should be P. tenuifolium. Schrad.[228]. The bruised leaves are very aromatic[200]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If there are sufficient seeds they can be sown in an outdoor seedbed in April. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Northern America United States, Alabama, Florida (north), Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia (southeast),

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pycnanthemum albescensWhiteleaf Mountain MintPerennial0.5 -  LMHSNDM01 
Pycnanthemum incanumHoary Mountain MintPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNDM12 
Pycnanthemum muticumCluster Mountain MintPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM10 
Pycnanthemum pilosumMountain Mint, Whorled mountainmintPerennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNDM20 
Pycnanthemum virginianumVirginia Mountain MintPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNDM22 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Britton.

Botanical References

200228

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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