Dicerandra fumella Huck

SMOKY BALM

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Smoky Balm is an annual native wildflower in the Mint family (Lamiaceae). It occurs in xeric sandhills in the southern tier of Alabama Counties. Until recognized as distinct in 2010, this plant was identified as Dicerandra linearifolia (Elliot) Benth. (Huck, Robin B. 2010. Dicerandra fumella (Lamiaceae), a new species in the Florida panhandle and adjacent Alabama, with comments on the D. linearifolia complex. Rhodora 112(951): 215-227). Smoky Balm only occurs in southern Alabama and adjacent parts of the Florida Panhandle west of the Apalachicola River. It is listed as an S2 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state). Smoky Balm grows to a height of eight to twelve inches. It has a taproot and opposite branches. The linear leaves are opposite. The entire plant has a strong odor of peppermint. White to pale pink flowers spotted with dark purple are produced in late autumn. Smoky Balm requires very well drained bare sandy soils and full sun. Due to its very strict habitat requirements, it is not available commercially. --A. Diamond

Until this species was named in 2010, the material in south Alabama was identified as Dicerandra linearifolia (Elliot) Benth.

Native S2 (State Rank) G4G5 (Global Rank)

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