Practical
Plants

Monardella odoratissima

Mountain Pennyroyal

a perennial member of the Monardella genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fresh or dried aromatic leaves and flower heads are steeped in cold water to make a refreshing mint-like tea[2].

Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is carminative and febrifuge[5]. A decoction of the stems and flower heads has been used in the treatment of flatulence and other digestive upsets, colds and fevers[5]. The decoction is also used as an eye wash for sore or inflamed eyes[5].

Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Ophthalmic

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Washington to California.
Habitat
Open wet or dry, often rocky places at low to moderate elevations[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of semi-ripe shoots, July in a frame[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist but well-drained sandy soil[1][3]. Requires a sunny position[3]. Strongly resents excessively cold damp soils in the winter[3]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[3]. A very polymorphic species, there are many sub-species[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  4. Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-660-00025-3

    ↩

  5. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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