Cunila origanoides
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cunila origanoides, with the common names stone mint, frost mint, dittany, and American dittany,[3] is a perennial late-summer-flowering subshrub with small purple flowers that is native to the central and eastern United States.[4] It belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is the only species in the genus Cunila native to the United States.[5] It grows in habitats such as dry forests and the thin soil around rock outcrops.[6] This species has historically been cultivated for use as a medicinal herb, tea, and ornamental plant.
| Cunila origanoides | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Cunila |
| Species: | C. origanoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Cunila origanoides | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
Cunila origanoides is a low, shrublike plant with square, stiff, branching stems, growing 15–46 cm (0.5–1.5 ft) tall. In the spring, the stems are purple, turning red when the plant is in bloom, then brown and woody in the fall. Leaves are opposite and measure 2–4 cm (0.7–1.5 in) long. They are sessile or have very short petioles. They are lanceolate, ovate, or ovate-cordate, with finely toothed margins. When crushed, the leaves give off a strong thyme aroma.[7][8]
Small purple or lavender flowers, measuring up to 0.8 cm (0.3 in) long, appear in clusters of cymes at the end of branches. The flowers are tubular with 4 flared lobes. The 2 stamens and the style are twice as long as the corolla and stick out noticeably.[7]
Distribution and habitat
Ecology
The plant blooms in the late summer and fall, and butterflies, bees, and other insects are attracted to the flowers.[7] It is a host plant for the moth Stephensia cunilae.[9] C. origanoides is one of the few plants that are known to produce frost flowers.[10]
Uses
The leaves of C. origanoides, either fresh or dried, have been used for making tea with a pleasant, thyme flavor. The tea can also be used for headaches, colds, and fevers, as well as for inducing menstruation and perspiration. Cunila oil, an essential oil, can be used as an antiseptic, aromatic and stimulant.[11]
Frost flower on dittany
