Cantinoa mutabilis (Rich.) Harley & J.F.B. Pastore

Tropical Bushmint

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Tropical Bushmint is an introduced herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial in the Mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to tropical and subtropical America. In Alabama in occurs in the southern half of the state. Tropical Bushmint grows in disturbed areas such as on roadsides, in pastures and fields, along the margins of forests, and on the banks of streams. It is an annual or short-lived perennial from a tap root. The stems are 3-5 feet in height, usually much branched, square in cross section, green in color, and short pubescent. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate to rhombic in outline, pubescent, and with serrate or doubly serrate margins. All parts of the plant emit a musty odor when damaged. Flowers are produced in 3-10 flowered verticils in terminal panicles. Individual flowers are sessile. The calyx is 5-toothed, the teeth alternating with erect trichomes. The trichomes fold inward after flower and enlarge to enclose the nutlet. The corolla is slightly 2-lipped, pale bluish-purple in color, and pubescent. The upper lip is 2-lobed and has a white spot. The lower lip is 3-lobed with the central lobe having a fringed margin. The fruit is a gray-brown nutlet. This species was long known as Hyptis mutabilis (Richard) Briquet, and that name is still used in many publications.—A. Diamond.

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Not Native FAC (NWPL)

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