Downy Mountain Mint -
Blephilia ciliate
This species features the mint
family's typical squared stem, opposite leaves and irregular
flowers. The downy stem has leaves which are very nearly sessile.
The flowers are purple with fringed bracts between them. The
wood mints tend to have a distinct aroma, and make nice teas
when the leaves are steeped. This is a prolific species - I have
planted them along the outside of my front fence and spend a
few hours each spring pulling the new plants out of the flower
beds inside the fence line. Still the frosted appearance of these
is worth the effort, and provides visual interest into the autumn.
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