Pycnanthemum californicum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Sierra mint, mountain mint, and California mint.
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.
It grows at elevations of , in chaparral, California oak woodland, California mixed evergreen forest, and Yellow pine forest habitats.
Description
Pycnanthemum californicum is a perennial herb growing erect in height. It has hairless to fuzzy, aromatic herbage. The oppositely arranged leaves are lance-shaped to nearly oval, each a few centimeters long.
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.
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)
californicum
Endemic flora of California
Flora of the Sierra Nevada (United States) Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands Natural history of the California Coast Ranges Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges Natural history of the Transverse Ranges Plants described in 1855 Taxa named by John Torrey Flora without expected TNC conservation status