Scientific name Calamintha nepeta Rank Species | ||
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Similar Salad burnet, Carciofi alla Romana, Water Mint, Apple Mint, Pennyroyal | ||
Clinopodium nepeta (synonym Calamintha nepeta), known as lesser calamint, is a perennial herb of the mint family.
Contents
Description
Lesser calamint is a perennial shrub, forming a compact mound of shiny, green oregano-like leaves. The flowers are lavender pink. The plant reaches a height of 18 inches. The lesser calamint smells like a cross between mint and oregano. It attracts honeybees and butterflies. Lesser calamint usually grows in the Summer, and well into the Fall. It can become dormant in the winter months, then reblossom in spring. In fall, the flowers fall to the ground and will self-seed. Seedlings will flower in late August. Lesser calamint often grows wild, but can also kept in pots. The average life expectancy of a plant is 3–4 years. It is susceptible to powdery mildew.
Taxonomy
The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Melissa nepeta. It was subsequently placed in Calamintha, Thymus, Satureja and Clinopodium, among other genera. The last of these is currently accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.
Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized:
Uses
Lesser calamint is used in borders. It is also as a spice in the Italian cuisine where it is called mentuccia, nipitella or nepitella.
