Alternate name: Oswego Tea, Horsemint, Beebalm
Family: Lamiaceae, Mint view all from this family
Description A dense, rounded cluster of lavender tubular flowers is at the top of a square stem.
Flowers: 1" (2.5 cm) long; corolla with hairy 2-lobed upper lip, broader 3-lobed lower lip, stamens 2, projecting; bracts under flower cluster often pink-tinged.
Leaves: about 2 1/2" (6.3 cm) long; gray-green, opposite, lanceolate, coarsely toothed.
Height: 2-4' (60-120 cm).
Flower June-September.
Habitat Dry fields, thickets, borders, usually common in calcareous regions.
Range Most of southern Canada and the United States, except Maritime Provinces, Florida, Washington, California, and Nevada.
Discussion This showy perennial, frequently cultivated, has aromatic leaves used to make mint tea. Oil from the leaves was formerly used to treat respiratory ailments.
