Lamiaceae“Mint Family”

By:Jaclyn Kuklock

Monarda fistulosa

Scutellaria

Over 240 genera6,500 species.

Agastache foeniculumBlue Giant Hyssop

Perennial dicot mint that grows in dry forests and grassy areas.Have small bluish flowers clustered in a tightly packed spike, with a square stem and 2 small side lobes.Leaves have fine hairs underneath.Native to U.S.The lower lip of the tube is longer than the upper lip. Leaves- rounded base, pointed tip, coarsely toothed edges and short stem.

Lycopus uniflorusNorthern Bugleweed

Smooth square stem & leaves without strong mint scent.Opposite lighter green leaves with a few flowers in axils. Rounded sepals.Small toothed leaves; lower leaves are toothed but not lobed.Grow up to 10-50 cm tall.Flowers are white and a few mm in length.

Mentha arvensisCommon Mint

10-60 cm in height Leaves are in opposite pairs, hairy and coarsely serrated margin. Flowers are pale purple, in clusters on the stem.Leaves have serrated edges and are ovate.The root produces rhizomes, forming colonies.

Pubescent of nearly glabrous.Field Mint can be distinguished from the cultivated mints by its non-terminal whorls of flowers.

Monarda fistulosaWild Bergamot

Stems-four-angled and hairless. Leaves- opposite and vary in color from light green to dark green, sometimes with yellow and red tints, also hairless and have serrated margins.Root- Deep and strongly branched and rhizomes are responsible for vegetative production of the plant. Flowers- Lavender or pink, about 2.5 cm long and are irregular shaped.

Habitats- moist to slightly dry black soil and hill prairies, sandy Black Oak woodlands, savannas and woodland borders, thickets, and abandoned pastures.

Scutellaria laterifloraMad Dog Skullcap

Stems- 1m tall, glabrous to pubescent in inflorescence.Leaves- Opposite, petioles are 1.5 cm long, blades are ovate, serrate and rounded at the base. Glabrous.Flowers- Pubescent, 4 stamens, filaments are white and anthers are yellow.Habitat- wet areas.

Used as a natural treatment for ADD, throat infections, nervousness, insomnia and as an anti-inflammatory.

References• http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wildflowers/bluegianthyssop.html• http://www.deq.state.mi.us/pw/Lycuni.shtml• http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/wild_mintx.htm• http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/md_skullcap.htm• http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/wld_bergamotx.htm• http://www.missouriplants.com/Blueopp/Scutellaria_lateriflora_page.html