Clustered Mountian Mint
(Pycnanthemum muticum)

Left: Clustered Mountain Mint with fall/winter color and flowers. (Replace with ASMSA garden image.)

Above: Clustered mountain mint with blooming flowers. (Image from Bagley Pond Perennials.).

Plant Characteristics

Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Mountain Mint is quite easy to grow, and can grow in a wide range of sun exposure from part sun to full sun. It is partially drought tolerant but thrives best in areas with consistent hydration.

Growth Habit/Description:

Medium size shrub with branches grown straight up that produce leaf clusters. Leaves are green, and produce a strong mint smell when rubbed. Generally an easy to grow species, but will become aggressive and spread quickly. Leaves turn a silver/gray color in the fall which persists into winter.

Bloom Season:

Mountain Mint has small white flowers with a purple tint to them that bloom during mid-summer.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

No. Leaves and stems die in the winter and regrow in the spring.

https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Pycnanthemum%20muticum.png

Distribution

Habitat: Clustered Mountain Mint is mainly found in Eastern North America, growing in woodlands, forest openings, fields, open rights-of-way, ridges, balds.

Native to Arkansas? Yes

Native to Garland County? Yes

Endemic to Arkansas? No

Ecological Value

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes. Clustered Mountain Mint serves as highly attractive host plant to many caterpillars. Specific one include the Regal Fritillary, (Speyeria idalia), Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan), and rare moth caterpillars.

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes. Clustered Mountain Mint has many benefits such as natural mosquito repellent, the ability to spread quickly through rhizomes in order to stabilize soil, and being an excellent host for pollinators.

Other Interesting Facts

Origin of Name: Plant is clump forming, and will spread quickly underground if not controlled.

Toxicity: Clustered Mountain Mint is poisonous and the leaves contain a numbing agent. The strong aroma causes animals like deer and rabbits to avoid them

Use For Food/Medicine:

When leaves from Clustered Mountain Mint are rubbed on the skin, they serve as a natural repellent for bugs like ticks, gnats, and chiggers.

References

Eason, R. (2024, February 12). Mountain Mint (pycnanthemum muticum) the well-behaved native herb. PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer. https://pithandvigor.com/2024/02/mountain-mint/#:~:text=Pycnanthemum%20muticum%20goes%20by%20the,spring%20to%20control%20its%20spread).

Go Botany. (n.d.). Pycnanthemum muticum - broad-leaved mountain-mint, clustered mountain-mint. Native Plant Trust: Go Botany. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/pycnanthemum/muticum/

Native Mountain Mint - A beginner’s guide - the plant native. The Plant Native - Home of Native Plant Inspiration. (2024, September 28). https://theplantnative.com/plant/mountain-mint/