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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): Mother Nature's Garden of Health |
Perennial
mints are choice summer plants. In
addition to attracting pollinators, native mints provide wonderful flavors for
herbal teas, beverages and desserts. Blooming
in a shady spot in the Garden of Health is one of our favorites, the Mountain mint
or Pycnanthemum californicum. The scientific name is pronounced pick-NAN-the-mum kal-ee-FOR-nee-kum.
California
mountain mint is the only Pycnanthemum
native to California. While limited to N. America, most Pycnanthemums grow in places with more summer precipitation than S.
California (we’re lucky to have even one
species). The genus is classed in the
mint family (Lamiaceae), which includes
the California native Lepechinias,
Menthas, Monardellas and Salvias. Like many mints, Mountain mint has pleasantly-scented
foliage, traditionally used as both a flavoring and medicinal agent.
Pycnanthemum
californicum is
commonly known as Mountain mint, Sierra mint, California mint or California
mountain mint. Several other native
mints are known as ‘Mountain mint’, so be sure to use the scientific name when
purchasing this species. California
mountain mint is endemic to the mountains and foothills of California,
including the central and northern Sierras, the Klamath, Modoc and Coastal
Ranges of northern California, and southern California’s Transverse and Peninsular
Ranges.
In
Los Angeles County, it grows in the San Gabriel Mountains and foothills, and is
common in the San Antonio Canyon above Claremont and in Lytle Creek Canyon (San
Bernardino County). It always grows in
relatively moist sites, in chaparral, oak woodland or pine forest communities,
between 1500 and 5500 ft. (500-1500 m.) elevation.
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): emerging stems in spring |
California
mountain mint is a true perennial. In
our garden it dies back to the ground in fall, emerging again in late winter or
early spring. The emerging stems have the typical appearance
of winter-dormant perennial mints (small, compressed leaves on multiple, emerging
stems – see above photo).
In
many ways, Pycnanthemum californicum is
a fairly typical mint. It has square stems, opposite leaves, and flowers in
ball-shaped clusters. The stems are slender
and may be upright or draping/sprawling.
Plants add more stems each year and mature plants may become almost
shrub-like in appearance. The stalks can
be up to 3 ft. (1 m.) tall, but are rarely more than 12-18 inches in our
garden.
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): young foliage (note fine hairs). |
The
leaves are simple, lance-shaped to oval, and up to 1 ½ inches (2-3 cm.) long
(or perhaps a little larger in shady conditions). Young leaves are a pale mint
green, with mature leaves becoming medium green. Some leaves – including those with more sun
exposure and the younger leaves – are covered with clear, velvet-like
hairs. In the Garden of Health, leaves
are slightly shiny and almost hairless at maturity (see below).
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): mature foliage |
Unlike
the herbaceous Mentha species, the
stems of Pycnanthemum californicum are
partly woody and wand-like. The stems
are a pale red-brown. The overall
appearance, at least in part-shade, is that of a low perennial groundcover. The foliage is aromatic, with a unique minty
aroma. The scent is released by touch –
a good plant for along walkways, under garden benches or in shadier areas of an
herb garden. It even takes some foot
traffic.
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): flowers |
Like
all mints, the flowers grow in ball-like clusters around the stems. In
California mountain mint, the floral masses grow immediately above clusters of
small leaves (see above). The word Pycnanthemum means ‘densely flowered’, a
good description for the flowering habit of this genus. Each flower cluster has 40-50 or more small
flowers. The overall impression is ‘white’,
but the flowers merit closer inspection.
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): close-up of flowers |
The
individual flowers are small (less than 5 mm across), with the characteristic
modified flowers of the Mint Family. The
top two petals form a top ‘lip’, which is white and extends forward in this
species. The bottom three petals are
fused to form the bottom lip, which may have small purple dots or blotches (see
above). The bottom lobes are fairly
elongated in Pycnanthemum californicum and
they curve backward at their tips.
Several
pairs of anthers (male sexual organs) extend beyond the lips (also typical for
the Mints). The result is a charming
little flower that’s perfectly suited for butterflies, hummingbirds and other
native pollinators (including pollinator flies and moths). Like other Mints, the Pycnanthemums are often planted as shade-tolerant pollinator plants. They are a good choice, providing nectar in
late summer/early fall, when other resources may be limited.
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): works well with native ferns and California bee plant. |
Pycnanthemum
californicum likes
some shade, at least in our hot S. California gardens. We grow ours on the north side of a tall
wall, but any place with afternoon shade, bright shade or dappled sun will
do. It can be grown in most soils; it
certainly is happy in the clay-loam in our garden. The only conditions that might not be suited
are salty or alkali (pH greater than 8.0) soils. Mints often do well in somewhat compacted
soils, making them useful agents to loosen urban soils.
The
California mountain mint does need
more water than many local native species.
It can take regular water and will probably be lusher with moister
soils. We give ours a deep soak every
other week in hot weather, so the ground dries out between waterings. It
seems to do fine with this regimen, in a clay soil with afternoon shade. We grow ours with water-loving native ferns,
California bee plant (Scrophularia
californica), the
Heucheras and other perennials with similar shade and water requirements (see
above).
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): shady groundcover with Hoita orbiculata |
Pycnanthemum
californicum is the
perfect choice for naturally moist areas of the garden: under splashing
fountains, around ponds, near an avian water dripper or mister, etc. It even
tolerates seasonal flooding – so an irrigated rain garden or swale is another
easy spot. It would be right at home
along the edges of a watered lawn or in a flower bed that gets regular
irrigation.
Mints
also do well in containers and Pycnanthemum
californicum would be charming in a shady porch pot. We like it as a filler in a narrow,
partly-shady bed between a wall and walkway. Or grow it as a seasonal ground cover in the
shade of a Blue elderberry or other tree.
You might even consider creating some ‘mint beds’ in your herb or
vegetable garden. True foodies can’t have too much mint in a garden!
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): makes a pleasant tea |
Which
brings us to the useful nature of this charming little mint. Its unique and lovely flavor has
traditionally been used for tea and to flavor beverages, desserts – even meats.
The leaves and flowers can be used fresh or dried. For more on using mints for tea see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/06/making-tea-from-california-native-mint.html.
If you like the flavor, you might want to
preserve some for use all year long.
Here are some tips: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2016/04/california-gourmet-making-flavored.html.
The
scent of dried leaves is a lovely addition to potpourri sachets. The dried leaves even help to deter moths! To learn about making potpourri from native
plants see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/11/garden-crafts-making-potpourri-from.html.
To sooth dry skin, use fresh or dried
leaves and flowers as a bath sachet (place in cloth bag; let steep in warm bath
water). You can also use a sachet of
dried leaves to freshen laundry (use a sachet bag in the dryer) or to deter
moths in closets or linen drawers.
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): potpourri from dried leaves can be used in many ways. |
But
California mountain mint is more than just a flavoring/aromatic agent. Like
most mints, it has a long history of use as a medicinal plant. The plant makes an astonishing number of
plant chemicals, some with known antimicrobial, antifungal and other medicinal
properties. So it’s not surprising to
learn that medicinal teas (decoctions) made from Pycnanthemum californicum are used in a number of ways. Because of
the many chemicals, mints should not be used by women who are pregnant.
Pycnanthemum tea is a good ‘pick-me-upper’ – a tonic
for when you’re feeling a little tired or run down. The tea is also used for coughs, colds, fever
and indigestion. The combination of
antimicrobial, analgesic (pain relieving) and other chemicals probably explain
its affects. A strong decoction was
traditionally used as an antiseptic wash for skin wounds, mouth sores and gum
disease. Crushed flowers were placed on
a tooth to relieve toothache. For more on the medicinal uses of this plant
see references 1-2, below.
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| California mountain mint (Pycnanthemum californicum): much to recommend it! |
In summary,
California mountain mint is a summer-fall blooming plant with many useful
properties. It provides nectar and seeds
at a time when many natives have gone dormant.
It can be used in places that are shady and which get a little extra
water, and can be combined with plants with similar needs (native or not). And it provides scents, flavors and helpful
chemicals – what a bargain in a single plant!
It’s not a showy plant, but it’s a garden star none-the-less.
For a
gardening information sheet see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/pycnanthemum-californicum
For more
pictures of this plant see: https://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/pycnanthemum-californicum-web-show
For plant
information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html
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We
welcome your comments (below). You can
also send your questions to: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com
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