Virginia mountain-mint

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Virginia mountain-mint
• Virginia-thyme
• wild basil
• common mountain mint

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Brachystemum virginicum
• Thymus virginicus
• Brachystemum lanceolatum
• Thymus verticillatus
• Satureja virginiana
• Pycnanthemum virginianum f. citriodora
• Pycnanthemum lanceolatum
• Pycnanthemum lanceolatum var. angustifolium
• Pycnanthemum lanceolatum var. latifolium
• Koellia lanceolata
• Koellia virginiana
• Koellia virginica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Pycnanthemum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions of North America. In Eastern Canada, its presence is noted in both Ontario and Québec. Moving into the North-Central U.S.A., it can be found throughout the state of Illinois. Its range also extends into the Midwestern landscapes of Iowa. Finally, the species continues its distribution further west into Kansas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Pycnanthemum virginianum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennary buds are situated at or near the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable periods. This life form enables the species to re-emerge reliably each year, establishing a stable presence within its ecological niche through a consistent reproductive and vegetative cycle.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pycnanthemum virginianum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking any climber or liana tendencies, and it is entirely independent, showing no parasitic behavior. The species is terrestrial in its habitat, neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it does not exhibit epiphyte tendencies, maintaining a strictly ground-based existence.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pycnanthemum virginianum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of very fine seeds. The flowering period typically commences in July and continues through September, though the timing can be subject to environmental variables. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces seeds that are remarkably consistent in size; the seed mass is recorded at a uniform 0.00014 g, with the mean, maximum, and minimum values all aligning at this exact measurement. This uniformity in seed mass suggests a highly standardized seed production process essential for the plant's dispersal and subsequent germination.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Seed mass mean:

0.00014 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pycnanthemum virginianum has 29 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isomenthone, THYMOL, 1,8-Cineole, 1-OCTEN-3-OL, 1-Octen-3-yl acetate.

Isomenthone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

THYMOL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

1-OCTEN-3-OL

1. Dr. Duke

1-Octen-3-yl acetate

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Allo-Aromadendrene

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-ELEMENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BORNYL ACETATE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Pycnanthemum virginianum has 227 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor, Acaricide.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations