Common Name: Large-Flowered Calamint

General Information

Clinopodium grandiflorum is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of slender, erect or ascending, branched stems from a creeping, rhizomatous rootstock; the plant grows 20 - 50cm tall[].
The plant is harvestd from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central and southern Europe - Spain to France, Austria, Italy, the Balkans, Greece; W. Asia - Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria

Habitat

Damp woods and scrub, often on limestone[]. Shady mountain woods[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.35 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a well-drained soil and a sunny position[]. Succeeds in any good soil in sun or partial shade[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[], preferring a soil on the dry side[].
The plant is pleasantly fragrant when bruised[]. The flowers have a delicious minty scent[].
Plants often self-sow in gardens if they are well-sited[].

Edible Uses

A sweet and aromatic herb tea is made from the leaves[]. Very refreshing. The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use[].

Leaves - used as a flavouring. A pleasant mint-like fragrance and flavour[].

Medicinal

The leaves are aromatic, diaphoretic and expectorant[]. An infusion is used in the treatment of jaundice, nervous complaints, convulsions and cramps[]. A warm poultice of the leaves may help soothe bruises and rheumatic pains[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be used for ground cover, planted about 45cm apart each way they form spreading clumps[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 21°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they are large enough, otherwise plant them out the following spring.
The seed can also be sown outdoors in a dry soil in mid spring[].
Division in spring or autumn[]. Very easy, larger clumps can be planted direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer.
Basal cuttings in May or early summer[]. They should be rooted in a sandy compost[]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.