Pycnanthemum californicum
Pycnanthemum californicum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Sierra mint, mountain mint,, and California mint.[1][2]
| Pycnanthemum californicum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Pycnanthemum |
| Species: | P. californicum |
| Binomial name | |
| Pycnanthemum californicum | |
Distribution
The plant is endemic to California, where it is native to the Sierra Nevada, Peninsular Ranges, Eastern Transverse Ranges, and Inner Northern California Coast Ranges.[1]
It grows at elevations of 500–1,900 metres (1,600–6,200 ft), in chaparral, California oak woodland, California mixed evergreen forest, and Yellow pine forest habitats.[1]
Description
Pycnanthemum californicum is a perennial herb growing erect 0.5–1 metre (1.6–3.3 ft) in height. It has hairless to fuzzy, aromatic herbage. The oppositely arranged leaves are lance-shaped to nearly oval, each a few centimeters long.[2]
The inflorescences are located in clusters about the stem just above each upper pair of leaves. Each flower has a whitish upper lip and a purplish lower lip, sometimes with spots. The bloom period is June through September.[2]