Practical
Plants

Pycnanthemum flexuosum

Mountain Mint

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

One report says that the plant is used for food, but gives no details[7]. There are no edible uses listed for Pycnanthemum flexuosum.

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 leaves and flowering stems are popularly used in the treatment of bowel complaints[3]. A hot infusion of the plant is diaphoretic[3]. The plant is also used internally in the treatment of stomach upsets, fevers, colds and sinus headaches[5][6]. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches[6]. A warm infusion of the plant has been used to bathe an inflamed penis[6]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and can be used fresh or dried.

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Maine to Florida, New York, Minnesota, Kansas and Texas.
Habitat
Upland prairies, pastures, meadows, open woodland and roadsides[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

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.

Cultivation

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

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[2]. Hardy to at least -15°c[2]. The correct name for this species should be P. tenuifolium. Schrad.[4]. The bruised leaves are very aromatic[2].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

  4. McGregor. R. L. & Barkley. T. M. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas. 1986-00-00 ISBN 070060295x

    ↩1↩2

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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