species 13,743 observations
Virginia Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Field notes
Pycnanthemum virginianum, the Virginia or common mountain-mint, or wild basil, is a plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is a herbaceous plant with narrow, opposite, simple leaves, on wiry, green stems. The flowers are white with purplish spotting, borne in summer. Like most plants in the genus, the foliage has a strong mint fragrance when crushed or disturbed. It is native to the eastern United States and eastern Canada.
The flowers are visited by many insects, including honeybees, cuckoo bees, sweat bees, thread-waisted wasps, potter wasps, tachinid flies, wedge-shaped beetles, and pearl crescent butterflies.
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Caterpillars
Moths and butterflies raised on it
Hermit Sphinx, Curved-toothed Geometer Moth, Tobacco Budworm Moth
3
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Plant eaters
Animals that feed on it
American Sand Wasp, Northern Plushback, Golden-reined Digger Wasp, Two-spotted Spider Wasp
6
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Flower visitors
Pollinators and other flower visitors
Great Black Digger Wasp, Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Great Golden Digger Wasp, Brown-belted Bumble Bee
226
Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Key traits
- Layer
- Herbaceous plants
- Light
- Part shade
- Moisture
- Well drained Moist
- Resists
- Insect pests Poor soil
- Plant type
- Wildflower Herbaceous perennial
From NC State Extension, USDA PLANTS and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.