SafePlants

Hairy Wood Mint (Blephilia hirsuta)

Blephilia hirsuta, commonly known as hairy wood mint or hairy pagoda plant, is a charming herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that the stems of the plant are hairy.
• This plant is in the mint family (Lamiaceae) known for aromatic oils, so ingestion may cause irritation.

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 (implied, based on mention of "Monarda hirsuta species")
• Varieties:
  • Blephilia hirsuta var. glabrata Fernald
  • Blephilia hirsuta var. hirsuta (Pursh) Benth.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to eastern North America.
• Observed in Garrett County, Maryland.
• Found in middle Tennessee.
• Grows in moderately wet to medium moisture level rich, loamy soil.
• Mentioned in connection to Alabama and Arkansas.

Morphology and Growth Habits

• Erect perennial forb.
• Grows from one to three feet high.
• Has square, hairy stems.
• Has a taproot.
• Leaves have one-inch stems, rounded bases, and toothed margins.
• Reaches a mature height of 2 ft (60 cm).
• Described as having whorls and spikes of 1/3 to ½ inch irregular, hairy white to flowers.
• The development is erect, it tends to grow both in height and in width, giving origin to a rounded shrub.

Ecological Role

• Native plant.
• Mentioned in the context of native plant gardens in Akron, Ohio.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Companion plant noted.

Further Information

• PLANTS Web site (United States Department of Agriculture).
• Encyclopedia of Life.
• Discover Life.
• International Plant Names Index.
• Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera.
• Red List of South African Plants (though this references a different plant, Mimetes capitulatus).
• Canadas Plant information.