Dracocephalum parviflorum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Dracocephalum |
Species: | D. parviflorum |
Binomial name | |
Dracocephalum parviflorum Nutt. |
Dragonhead mint or American dragonhead (Dracocephalum parviflorum Nutt.) is a wild North American mint growing from New York state through the Midwest and Canada and into Alaska. It grows as either an annual or biennial, producing clusters of small pink to violet flowers in whorls at the ends of many branching stems. The seeds are very small (about 2 mm), dark, and high in oil content, about 20%.
A recent study suggests that this mint may have application as a commercial birdseed crop in Alaska.