Nettle-leaf mint is a low, spreading perennial in the mint family that carpets shady forest floors in Korea, Japan, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East, with large lavender, lipped flowers in spring. It doesn't grow wild in the United States; its American cousin is Meehan's mint (Meehania cordata), a native of moist, shady banks in the eastern states.
Appearance
- Growth form
- A perennial about 6–12 in (15–30 cm) tall with square stems. After flowering it sends out long that root at the nodes and spread across the ground.
- Leaves
- Opposite, triangular to heart-shaped leaves about 1–2 in (2–5 cm) long with blunt teeth. The whole plant has a pleasant herbal scent.
- Flowers
- Lavender to purple lipped flowers about 1.5–2 in (4–5 cm) long, large for such a small plant. The lower lip has a white patch with dark purple spots and long white hairs at the throat.
- Flowering time
- In Korea it blooms in May, and in Japan from April to May.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- Shady mountain forests
- Moist streamside woods
- Range
- Native to East Asia: Korea, Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu), northeastern China, and the Russian Far East. It is not native to the United States.
Growing it
- Propagation
- Spreads mainly by runners that root where they touch the ground.
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
Culture and stories
- Culture and stories
- The genus name Meehania honors Thomas Meehan, an American botanist, so this Asian plant carries an American's name. The species name urticifolia means "nettle-like leaves."
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