Flower ID: IMG_4471.JPG-07-20-2020 Flower name (scientific): Pycnanthemum virginianum (Linnaeus) T. Durand & B. D. Jackson ex B. L. Robinson & Fernald 1908. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) pik-NAN-thee-mum ver-jin-ee-AH-num Flower name (common): Virginia Mountain Mint Family name (common): Mint Family name (scientific): Lamiaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek pyknós for dense and ánthemon (anthos) for flower, referring to the densely flowered clusters. Specific epithet: Of or from Virginia. Common name origin: The first part of the common name probably refers to where the plant was initially described. Mountain mint has been in use from the late 16th century and possibly back further. In the US and in the immediate context has been in use from the early 19th century, referring to species of Pycnanthemum (source OED). Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.3 inches (0.5 to 0.8 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: white or purple Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-flat Plant description: Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 91 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, narrowly lanceolate or linear (IL). Shape: leaf, narrowly lanceolate or linear (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, meadows, woodlands, fields, thickets, sun or semi-shade, wet to moist to dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Narrow-leaved Mountain Mint, Slender Mountain Mint) has a resemblance to Pycnanthemum virginianum. The former has narrow leaves about 1 to 5.5 mm wide, whereas P. virginianum has leaves up to about 13 mm wide. The crushed leaves of P. virginianum have a strong minty fragrance, whereas the crushed leaves of P. tenuifolium have no or very little fragrance. Ethnobotany: The Meskwaki employ this plant as one component in a medicine to revive patients near death. Parts of the plant are also used to cure chills and ague (Smith, pp. 226-227, 1928). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Dunn, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (NB, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Satureja virginiana Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 2: 567 1753. Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FACW Wetland Status (MW): FACW