Pycnanthemum californicum
| Pycnanthemum californicum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Pycnanthemum |
| Species: | P. californicum |
| Binomial name | |
| Pycnanthemum californicum Torr. ex Durand | |
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]
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]
See also
- Endemic flora of California
References
External links
- Calflora Database: Pycnanthemum californicum (Mountain mint, Sierra mint, California mint)
- Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Pycnanthemum californicum
- USDA Plants Profile for Pycnanthemum californicum (Sierra mint)]
- UC Photos gallery of Pycnanthemum californicum (Sierra mint, Mountain mint)