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Clinopodium dentatum facts for kids

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Clinopodium dentatum
Clinopodium dentatum (Calamintha dentata) - Bok Tower Gardens - DSC02109.jpg
Conservation status

Vulnerable (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Genus:
Clinopodium
Species:
dentatum
Synonyms
  • Calamintha dentata

The Toothed Savory (scientific name: Clinopodium dentatum), also known as Florida Calamint, is a type of flowering plant in the mint family. It grows naturally in Florida and Georgia in the United States.

About the Toothed Savory

What it Looks Like

This plant is a shrub that grows like a bush. It can reach a height of 30 to 70 centimeters, which is about 1 to 2.3 feet tall. The Toothed Savory has a nice minty smell. Its stems have thin, gray-brown bark that peels off.

The leaves grow in pairs opposite each other on the stem. They are yellowish-green and shaped like a spear or an oval, usually about one centimeter long. These leaves feel a bit hairy and have tiny glands on them.

The flowers are about 1.5 centimeters long. They are lavender (light purple) with a pale spot on the lower lip. This spot often has dark specks. The flower has a hairy, tube-like shape with a lip. This plant can spread very easily and sometimes becomes the main type of shrub in its habitat.

Where it Grows

You can find the Toothed Savory in sandy areas. This includes places like sandhills and the Florida scrub. It can also grow in places that have been changed by people, such as along roadsides. Most of these plants are found in Florida. However, it is also known to grow in Tattnall County, Georgia.

Protecting This Plant

The Toothed Savory might be at risk because its natural home is being changed. Sometimes, its habitat is turned into tree farms, which is called silviculture. This means forests are grown for wood. Protecting these sandy habitats helps keep the Toothed Savory safe.

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