Clinopodium coccineum (Nutt. ex Hook.) Kuntze

Scarlet Wild Basil; Scarlet Calamint; Red Mint Shrub

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Scarlet Wild Basil is a native evergreen shrub in the Mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to the southern-most counties of Alabama. Scarlet Wild Basil occurs on dunes, in scrub oak woods, in sandhills, and on sandy roadsides. It is a small shrub with a tap root reaching 3-4 feet in height. Plants growing in less than full sun tend to “sprawl” along the ground. The stems are thin and wiry. Young stems are green in color, squarish, and pubescent. Older stems have gray or brown bark that peels in long, thin strips. The leaves are opposite, sessile or with short petioles, elliptic to ovate or spatulate in outline, with entire margins. The leaves are dark green in color and slightly aromatic when crushed. Flowers are produced in axillary cymes near the apex of the stems. Flowers are red or orange in color, tubular, and about two inches in length. The corolla is two-lipped with the upper lip two lobed and shorter than the lower lip, which is three lobed. These are typical hummingbird flowers, and they love them. The plant blooms most heavily during the summer and fall, but occasional flowers are produced throughout the year. The fruit is a nutlet. Scarlet Wild Basil is often sold by native plant nurseries. There is even one variety offered for sale with yellow flowers. Plants can also be grown from seed or cuttings. Scarlet Wild Basil requires very well drained soils and full sun. It can be grown in containers if your soil is not suitable.--A. Diamond

**

Native

**