Virginia mountain-mint facts for kids

The Virginia mountain-mint, also known as Pycnanthemum virginianum, is a fascinating plant. It belongs to the mint family, called Lamiaceae. This plant is a herbaceous plant, which means it has soft, green stems instead of woody ones like a tree.

Quick facts for kids Virginia mountain-mint
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Pycnanthemum
Species:	P. virginianum
Binomial name
Pycnanthemum virginianum (L.) T.Durand & B.D.Jacks. ex B.L.Rob. & Fernald
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Synonyms
Satureja virginiana L. (basionym)

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Its stems are thin and green. The plant has narrow leaves that grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. In summer, you can see its pretty white flowers. These flowers often have small purplish spots. If you gently crush its leaves, you'll smell a strong minty scent! This is a common feature for most plants in the Pycnanthemum group.

Where the Virginia Mountain-Mint Grows

The Virginia mountain-mint is native to North America. You can find it growing naturally in the eastern United States. It also grows in eastern Canada. This plant thrives in many different areas. These include the Appalachian Mountains and the Great Lakes region (North America).

Who Visits the Flowers?

The flowers of the Virginia mountain-mint are very popular. Many different insects come to visit them. These visitors help the plant by carrying pollen from one flower to another. This process is called pollination.

Some of the insects that love these flowers include:

• Honeybees
• Cuckoo bees
• Sweat bees
• Thread-waisted wasps
• Potter wasps
• Tachinid flies
• Wedge-shaped beetles
• Pearl crescent butterflies

These insects are important for the plant's reproduction. They help new seeds grow so more Virginia mountain-mint plants can sprout.