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hairy pagoda-plant

Scientific Name: Blephilia hirsuta

Family: Lamiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: CT (hairy woodmint), MA (hairy wood-mint), VT (hai

       

Hairy Wood Mint (Blephilia hirsuta)

Blephilia hirsuta, commonly known as hairy wood mint or hairy pagoda plant, is an herbaceous perennial belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to eastern North America.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is sometimes described as having "hairy" stems and leaves. This characteristic may be worth noting if you have pets that tend to chew on plants, as the texture could be either appealing or unappealing to them.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Blephilia hirsuta (Pursh) Benth.
  • Common Names: Hairy Wood Mint, Hairy Pagoda Plant
  • Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
  • Genus: Blephilia
  • Species: hirsuta
  • Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: Monarda hirsuta (mentioned as an alternative name)
  • Varieties:
    • Blephilia hirsuta var. glabrata Fernald
    • Blephilia hirsuta var. hirsuta (Pursh) Benth.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to eastern North America.
  • Specific locations mentioned include: Minnesota, Garrett Co., Maryland, Alabama, Arkansas, middle Tennessee, and southern Ontario (where some species may be excluded if not normally observed).
  • Grows in moderately wet to medium moisture levels in rich, loamy soil.
  • Prefers part to full shade.

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • Erect perennial forb.
  • Square, hairy stems that grow from one to three feet high.
  • Reaches a mature height of about 2 feet (60 cm).
  • Aromatic leaves with one-inch stems, rounded bases, and toothed margins.
  • Has a taproot.
  • Forms whorls and spikes of 1/3 to 1/2 inch irregular, hairy white to greenish-white flowers.

Ecological Role

  • Mentioned in the context of "Introduced, Invasive, and Noxious Plants," suggesting it might be considered invasive in certain areas.

Quirky Facts

  • The tiered whorls of flowers resemble the tiered rooftops of Asian pagodas, giving it the common name "Pagoda Plant".
  • Out of all the plants in the Blephilia genus, Blephilia hirsuta has the largest leaves.

Further Information

  • PLANTS Web site (USDA)
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Discover Life
  • International Plant Names Index
  • Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera
  • Red List of South African Plants (Note: This database appears in conjunction with a search for *Mimetes capitulatus*, which is not the focus plant, so may be irrelevant.)
  • Canadas Plant database