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Calamintha sylvatica
  • Calamint

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Acid to Very alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Calamintha sylvatica has 0 edible uses listed
Calamintha sylvatica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

A sweet and aromatic herb tea is made from the leaves[1]. Very refreshing[2][1]. Leaves - used as a flavouring in cooked dishes[3]. Pleasantly pungent and strongly aromatic, the flavour is said to resemble a cross between mint and marjoram[4].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Calamintha sylvatica.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Calamint was commonly used as a medicinal herb in medieval times, though is little used by modern herbalists[5]. It has very similar properties to lesser calamint (C. nepeta) though is milder in its actions[5]. It is sometimes cultivated as a medicinal herb for household use.

The whole plant is aromatic, diaphoretic and expectorant[2]. The leaves are harvested in July as the plant comes into flower and are dried for storage[2]. An infusion is beneficial in cases of fevers, flatulent colic and weaknesses of the stomach[2], it is also used to treat depression, insomnia and painful menstruation[5]. Its expectorant action makes it a good cough and cold remedy and it is of value for treating mild respiratory infections[6]. It is best mixed with other herbs, especially yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)[6].

Calamint should not be prescribed for pregnant women since in excess it can cause a miscarriage[5].

Unknown part

Aromatic
Diaphoretic
Expectorant
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. It usually germinates in 2 weeks at 21°c[7]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and, if they grow sufficiently, plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer otherwise wait until the following spring.

Division in spring. 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 June. They should be rooted in a sandy compost[8]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Calamintha sylvatica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in a well-drained dry to moist neutral to alkaline soil and a sunny position[9]. Likes semi-shade[1].

Succeeds in a woodland garden[1].

Bees love the flowers of this plant[K].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Calamintha sylvatica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Calamintha sylvatica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Calamintha sylvatica
Genus
Calamintha
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[5][2][6]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[10][1]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x 0.5 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees, Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    7. ? Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. (1989-00-00)
    8. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    9. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-5" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


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    Facts about "Calamintha sylvatica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusCalamintha +
    Has common nameCalamint +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useSeasoning + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeBee + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAromatic +, Diaphoretic +, Expectorant + and Stomachic +
    Has search namecalamintha sylvatica + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameCalamintha sylvatica +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +