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Pycnanthemum incanum - (L.)Michx.

Common Name Hoary Mountain Mint
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry woods and thickets[43].
Range Eastern N. America - New Hampshire to New York, south to New Carolina and Tennessee.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Pycnanthemum incanum Hoary Mountain Mint


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 3: 144.
Pycnanthemum incanum Hoary Mountain Mint
Ted Bodner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / James H. Miller and Karl V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses. University of Georgia Press., Athens.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Pycnanthemum incanum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from July 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 dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Koellia incana.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea

The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into an aromatic mint-like tea[183].

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  Carminative  Diaphoretic  Febrifuge

A tea made from the leaves is diaphoretic and carminative[222]. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches[222, 257]. An infusion of the plant is used in the treatment of stomach upsets, fevers, colds and sinus headaches[238]. 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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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 flexuosumMountain Mint, Appalachian mountainmintPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM12 
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.

 

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Author

(L.)Michx.

Botanical References

43235

Links / References

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

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