Cedar Creek Natural History Area

Plants of Cedar Creek

The Mint Family is represented by 17 species in nearly as many genera.  A number of these have been introduced but are now fully naturalized.  The Family is relatively easy to recognize by having square stems and frequently fragrant, some would say pungent,  flowers.

Agastache foeniculum (Blue Giant Hyssop) is a tall uncommon forb of old fields.  Foliage has the fragrance of anise.  Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) is a common tall forb of old fields having a terminal head of pink tubular flowers. M. punctata (Horsemint) has whorled leaves and pale speckled flowers.  It is introduced from SE Minnesota and now occurs on Allison Savanna and BP field. Stachys palustris (Hedge Nettle) is a common short-statured mint with pale pink flowers found in a variety of old field depressions.  Pycnanthemum virginianum (Virginia Mountain Mint) is a fairly common forb of wet depressions.  It has a dense head of tiny white flowers and smells of citronella.  Mentha arvensis (Common Mint) occurs along some woodland trails. Hedeoma hispida (Mock Pennyroyal) is a tiny plant of xeric fields and disturbed areas.

Two species of Lycopus occur in marshes and wet meadows.  Both L. americanus (Water Horehound) and L. uniflorus (Bugleweed) have clusters of small white flowers.  Two common marsh mints belonging to the genus Scutellaria (Skullcaps) are S. lateriflora (Mad-dog Skullcap) and S. galericulata (=epilobifolia: Marsh Skullcap). S. leonardi (=parvula: Prairie Skullcap) is a diminutive forb of xeric and burned prairie.

Remaining members of the Mint Family are introduced species and  are most common at homesites.  These include: Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort) Lab environs,  Glechoma hederacea (Creeping Charlie) Corneias and other homesites, Nepeta cataria (Catnip) homesites, Galeopsis tetrahit (Hemp Nettle) Lab environs, Prunella vulgaris (Heal all) drainage ditch along NSLR.