Narrowleaf Mountainmint
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
Alex Abair (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Pycnanthemum
- Species:
- Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
- USDA Symbol:
- PYTE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Tri-colored bumble (Bombus ternarius), Triepeolus lunatus, Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow-banded bumble (Bombus terricola), Zadontomerus Ashmead Moths:Atteva aurea Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Atalopedes Scudder, Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Great Spangled (Argynnis cybele), Northern Broken-Dash (Polites egeremet), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Peck's skipper (Polites peckius), Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in open woods and fields
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; surface sow and keep moist.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- North Creek Nurseries (nursery)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)