Common Name: Mountain Mint

General Information

Pycnanthemum verticillatum pilosum is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; it can grow around 30 - 90cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is occasionally grown as an ornamental, mainly for the ability of its flowers to attract bees, butterflies etc[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eastern and central N. America - Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan and Ontario south to Texas, Alabama and Georgia.

Habitat

Dry to moist open woods, thickets, prairies and clearings[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.65 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pycnanthemum pilosum is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating winter temperatures falling to -20°c or lower[].
Succeeds in most soils[] but prefers a rich loamy soil in full sun or partial shade with plenty of moisture in the growing season[]. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade, but flowering best in full sun[].
A vigorous grower which can spread freely by rhizomes in optimum conditions. If naturalizing is unwanted, prune roots in spring with a spade to keep clumps from spreading[].
All parts of the plant are very aromatic when crushed[].
A good plant for attracting butterflies and bees[].

Edible Uses

Flower buds and leaves - raw or cooked[]. A nice addition to salads or used as a condiment.

The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a delicious mint-like tea[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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 mid spring.
Division in spring.