Field mint

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Field mint leaves

Field mint

Field mint inflorescence

Field mint

Field mint flowers

Field mint leaf

Field mint habit

Field mint

Morphology

Stem

Ascending to erect, branched distally, usually sparsely to densely retrorsely puberulent or hirsute, rarely glabrous.

Leaves

Cauline, opposite, simple; petiole .12 to .6 inch; blade lanceolate to elliptic, .8 to 2 inches long, .2 to 1.4 inch wide, base acute to tapered, margins serrate, apex acute to acuminate, surfaces sparsely pubescent abaxially, glabrous adaxially.

Inflorescence

Cymes, axillary; bracts lanceolate to elliptic, apex acute to acuminate, surfaces glabrous or sparsely pubescent abaxially.

Flower

Calyx radially symmetric, cylindric to campanulate, .1 to .14 inch, tube 10-13-nerved, throat glabrous, lobes 5, narrowly triangular, apex not spinulose and hooked; corolla pale blue to lavender, .16 to .28 inch, radially symmetric or nearly so, funnelform, lobes 4, abaxial lobes 3, medial lobe slightly larger than lateral lobes, adaxial lobe 1, sometimes emarginate, flat; stamens 4, exserted, filaments straight; pistil 1, 2-carpellate; ovary deeply 4-lobed; style 1, basal; stigmas 2.

Fruit

Schizocarps comprising 2-4 mericarps that are tan, broadly ellipsoid to broadly ovoid, less than .04 inch, glabrous, smooth; seeds 1 per mericarp.

Ecology

Habitat

River and stream banks, shores of ponds and lakes, marshes, wet ravines and ditches.

Distribution

Throughout Kansas

Practical Information

Uses

Various Native American tribes used field mint, either as a beverage or for medcinal purposes; took infusions for colds, coughs, fevers, and headaches; and used the leaves to flavor food.

Additional Notes

Synonyms

Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.