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Useful Temperate Plants

Agastache mexicana

(Kunth) Lint & Epling

Lamiaceae

+ Synonyms

Brittonastrum betonicoides (Lindl.) Briq.

Brittonastrum mexicanum (Kunth) Briq.

Cedronella mexicana (Kunth) Benth.

Dracocephalum mexicanum Kunth

Gardoquia betonicoides Lindl.

Common Name: Toronjil Morado

Agastache mexicana
Cultivated, flowering plant in The Botanical Gardens of Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Photograph by: Karelj
Creative Commons License
Agastache mexicana Agastache mexicana

General Information

Agastache mexicana is a herbacous perennial plant producing a cluster of erect, branched stems from 50 - 150cm tall from slowly-spreading rhizomes.
The plant is a popular medicinal herb in Mexico, where it is sold in local markets and also in national markets. The plant is cultivated locally for medicinal use in gardens and also commercially on a small scale both for local use and for sale[
1058
Title
Phytologia Vol. 62 No. 3
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
Moldenke H.N. & A.L.
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal devoted to the valid publication of new taxa.
]. The plant is also grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its flowers and their ability to attract bees, butterflies and humming birds to the garden.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Southern N. America - northeastern to southern Mexico.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.80 m
PollinatorsBees, Butterflies, Humming birds
Self-fertileYes
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Agastache mexicana is usually found at elevations above 2,000 metres in the subtropical to tropical regions of Mexico. It is unlikely to tolerate more than a few degrees of frost, though has been seen growing successfully at Kew Botanic Gardens in the UK, which is in climate zone 7.
Prefers a warm sunny sheltered position and a well-drained soil. Succeeds in most soils so long as they are well-drained.
Plants are not very long-lived, especially in cultivation[
233
Title
Perennial Garden Plants
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
Year
1990
ISBN
0 460 86048 8
Description
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
]. They can be grown as annuals, flowering and producing seed in their first year of growth[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The flowers are very attractive to bees, butterflies and humming birds.

Edible Uses

The highly aromatic young leaves are used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods[
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. A pungent, liquorice flavour[
1058
Title
Phytologia Vol. 62 No. 3
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
Moldenke H.N. & A.L.
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal devoted to the valid publication of new taxa.
].
The young leaves are used to make a herbal tea[
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. It is drunk as an aromatic tea after meals[
1058
Title
Phytologia Vol. 62 No. 3
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
Moldenke H.N. & A.L.
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal devoted to the valid publication of new taxa.
].

Medicinal

The plant is used in traditional medicine as a tranquilizer, sleep inducer, anti-hypertensive, anti rheumatic treatment, and as a treatment for stomach pain[
1170
Title
Antifungal activity of essential oils extracted from Agastache mexicana ssp. Xolocotziana and Porophyllum linaria ag
Publication
Industrial Crops and Products 74 (2015) 178-182
Author
Zaida N. Juárez; Luis R. Hernández et al
Publisher
 
Year
2015
ISBN
0926-6690
Description
 
]. An infusion of the plant, both fresh or dried, is valued in treating various gastrointestinal, nervous, and cardiovascular ailments[
1058
Title
Phytologia Vol. 62 No. 3
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
Moldenke H.N. & A.L.
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal devoted to the valid publication of new taxa.
].
The plant is harvested for drying as it comes into flower since this is when it is most aromatic[
1058
Title
Phytologia Vol. 62 No. 3
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
Moldenke H.N. & A.L.
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal devoted to the valid publication of new taxa.
].

The plant contains several medically active compounds, including an essential oil[
1058
Title
Phytologia Vol. 62 No. 3
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
Moldenke H.N. & A.L.
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal devoted to the valid publication of new taxa.
].

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the plant is used medicinally and also has significant antifungal activity. It has been recommended for use to develop natural fungicidal formulations in order to protect post-harvest stored grains[
1170
Title
Antifungal activity of essential oils extracted from Agastache mexicana ssp. Xolocotziana and Porophyllum linaria ag
Publication
Industrial Crops and Products 74 (2015) 178-182
Author
Zaida N. Juárez; Luis R. Hernández et al
Publisher
 
Year
2015
ISBN
0926-6690
Description
 
]. Higher antifungal activity is displayed when the complete essential oil is used, as opposed to individual components from the oil used in isolation, suggesting that enhancement of antifungal activity is obtained when other minor compounds are present in the oil, suggesting that the antifungal activity is a result of a synergistic effect.[
1170
Title
Antifungal activity of essential oils extracted from Agastache mexicana ssp. Xolocotziana and Porophyllum linaria ag
Publication
Industrial Crops and Products 74 (2015) 178-182
Author
Zaida N. Juárez; Luis R. Hernández et al
Publisher
 
Year
2015
ISBN
0926-6690
Description
 
].
The main constituents of the essential oil are pulegone (75%), menthone (14%), and limonene (3%)[
1170
Title
Antifungal activity of essential oils extracted from Agastache mexicana ssp. Xolocotziana and Porophyllum linaria ag
Publication
Industrial Crops and Products 74 (2015) 178-182
Author
Zaida N. Juárez; Luis R. Hernández et al
Publisher
 
Year
2015
ISBN
0926-6690
Description
 
].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 13°c[
133
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Rice. G. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1987
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring or early summer[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Division in spring. Fairly simple, if large divisions are used it is possible to plant them straight out into their permanent positions.
Basal cuttings of young shoots in spring[
111
Title
Popular Hardy Perennials.
Publication
 
Author
Sanders. T. W.
Publisher
Collingridge
Year
1926
ISBN
-
Description
A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.
]. Harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm tall and pot them up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse. They should root within 3 weeks and can be planted out in the summer or following spring.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Agastache+mexicana>

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