Clinopodium menthifolium
(Host) Stace
Calamint
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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) mick_photo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by mick_photo
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Paul Cook, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Paul Cook
Summary
Source: WikipediaClinopodium menthifolium, commonly known as the wood calamint or woodland calamint, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is found throughout southern and central Europe from the United Kingdom and east as far as temperate parts of Asia, and as south as North Africa. It grows up to 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in elevation. The three subspecies of C. menthifolium have been previously considered separate species, including C. m. subsp. ascendens (syn. C. ascendens), the common calamint or ascending wild basil, and C. m. subsp. hirtum (C. hirtum).
Description
A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 80 cm high and spreads 1 m wide. The stem is hairy and erect. Some stems are creeping. The leaves are oval to round and green. They have some teeth and have a mint scent. The flowers are pink or lilac. They have white spots on the lower lip.
Edible Uses
The leaves are used as a spice and flavouring, particularly with zucchini and to flavour meats and stews. The flowers are used for conserves.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are used for flavouring. They are used with zucchini vegetables and to flavour meats and stews. The flowers are used for conserves.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The leaves of wood calamint can be infused to make an aromatic herb tea. They can also be added to cooked foods, imparting a pungent, aromatic flavour that has been described as being a combination of the flavours imparted by marjoram and mint. The plant is also used as an ornamental for garden cultivation, and will attract butterflies and bees. The plant has also been used medicinally, as a diaphoretic and an expectorant, and to settle the stomach. It can be added to cough medicine, often in combination with yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). It is also used to treat fever, insomnia and depression.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in light to medium well drained soils. It needs an open sunny position. It is drought and frost resistant.
Where It Grows
Africa, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Caucasus, Crimea, Europe, Iran, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Syria, Turkey, Türkiye,
Cultivation
It can be grown from seed or by cuttings.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 187 (As Calamintha sylvatica)
- Brown, D., 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of Herbs and their uses. DK Books. p 149 (As Calamintha sylvatica)
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 125 (As Calamintha sylvatica)
- Seidemann J., 2005, World Spice Plants. Economic Usage, Botany, Taxonomy. Springer. p 74 (As Calamintha menthifolia) Synonyms unclear.
