Pycnanthemum
Encyclopedia
Pycnanthemum is a genus
of plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae). They are commonly known as mountain mints (or mountain-mints, mountainmints), though "the Mountain Mint" may also be any locally common species
in particular. Some are known as koellias, after an obsolete genus name.
All of the approximately 20 species in this genus are native to North America
. Most are very strongly scented and pungent, and are used in cooking
and in making herbal tea. Indeed, like the true mints (Mentha
) they belong to the tribe
Mentheae of subfamily Nepetoideae. However, while the mountainmints are a highly advanced genus most probably closest to the bee balms (Monarda), which are also endemic to North America, the true mints are part of a more basal and largely European
radiation of this tribe.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae). They are commonly known as mountain mints (or mountain-mints, mountainmints), though "the Mountain Mint" may also be any locally common species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in particular. Some are known as koellias, after an obsolete genus name.
All of the approximately 20 species in this genus are native to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Most are very strongly scented and pungent, and are used in cooking
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
and in making herbal tea. Indeed, like the true mints (Mentha
Mentha
Mentha is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae . The species are not clearly distinct and estimates of the number of species varies from 13 to 18. Hybridization between some of the species occurs naturally...
) they belong to the tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Mentheae of subfamily Nepetoideae. However, while the mountainmints are a highly advanced genus most probably closest to the bee balms (Monarda), which are also endemic to North America, the true mints are part of a more basal and largely European
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
radiation of this tribe.
Species
Mountainmint species are:- Pycnanthemum albescens Torr. & A.Gray – White-leaved Mountainmint
- Pycnanthemum beadlei (Small) Fernald
- Pycnanthemum californicumPycnanthemum californicumPycnanthemum californicum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Sierra mint. It is endemic to California, where it grows in mountains and foothills throughout the state, in chaparral, woodland, forest, and other habitat. It is a perennial herb growing erect one...
– Sierra Mint - Pycnanthemum clinopodioides
- Pycnanthemum curvipes (Greene) E.Grant & Epling
- Pycnanthemum flexuosum (Walter) Britton et al.
- Pycnanthemum floridanum E.Grant & Epling – Florida Mountainmint
- Pycnanthemum incanumPycnanthemum incanumPycnanthemum incanum is a herbaceous perennial in the mint family, native to North America. It is listed as an endangered species in Vermont and New Hampshire, as well as in Ontario, where there are only two remaining populations located within a single stretch of oak savanna in Burlington...
– Hoary Mountainmint, "hoary basilHoary basilHoary basil may refer to a number of plant species:* Pycnanthemum incanum * Ocimum americanum or Ocimum canum * Ocimum kilimandscharicum...
", "wild basilWild basil"Wild basil" is a colloquial term for several plants of the mint family :* the genus Clinopodium, in particular:** Clinopodium vulgare ** Clinopodium ascendens...
" - Pycnanthemum loomisii Nutt. – Loomis' Mountainmint
- Pycnanthemum monotrichum
- Pycnanthemum montanum Michx.
- Pycnanthemum muticum (Michx.) Pers.– Short-toothed Mountainmint
- Pycnanthemum nudum
- Pycnanthemum pilosum Nutt. (sometimes in P. verticillatum)
- Pycnanthemum pycnanthemoides (Leavenw.) Fernald – Southern Mountainmint
- Pycnanthemum setosum Nutt. – Awned Mountainmint
- Pycnanthemum tenuifoliumPycnanthemum tenuifoliumPycnanthemum tenuifolium is a plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae.Many authors believed that the name Pycnanthemum flexuosum refers to this plant, but this does not appear to be correct....
– Little-leaved Mountainmint, Slender-leaved Mountainmint (= P. flexuosum auct. non Walter) - Pycnanthemum torreyi Benth. – Torrey's Mountainmint
- Pycnanthemum verticillatum (Michx.) Pers. – Whorled Mountainmint
- Pycnanthemum virginianumPycnanthemum virginianumPycnanthemum virginianum is a plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is a herbaceous plant with narrow, opposite, simple leaves, on wiry, green stems. The flowers are white with purplish spotting, borne in summer. Like most plants in the genus, the foliage has a strong mint fragrance when crushed...
– Virginia Mountainmint