Pycnanthemum virginianum - Virginia Mountain Mint

Family:	Labiatae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:	Koellia virginiana.
Range:	Eastern N. America - Virginia to New England, north to North Dakota.

Pycnanthemum virginianum (Virginia Mountain Mint) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Virginia Mountain Mint will flower in February to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Virginia Mountain Mint will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Virginia Mountain Mint prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Virginia Mountain Mint can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Gravelly shores, meadows, dry to wet thickets etc[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

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[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Flower buds and leaves - raw or cooked. A mint-like flavour, they make a nice addition to salads or can be used as a condiment[61, 161, 183, 238]. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing mint-like tea[183].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
A tea made from the leaves is alterative, diaphoretic and carminative[222, 257]. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches[222]. The tea is also used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, indigestion, colic, coughs, colds, chills and fevers[222, 238, 257].The flowering stems are cut as flowering begins and they can be used fresh or dried[238]. There is a suggestion that this plant can cause abortions, so it is best not used by pregnant women[257].

• Alterative - Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.

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 April. Division in spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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