SafePlants

Woodland Calamint (Calamintha sylvatica / Clinopodium menthifolium)

Woodland Calamint, known scientifically by several names including Calamintha sylvatica and Clinopodium menthifolium, is a perennial herb appreciated for its aromatic qualities and attractive flowers. It's a relative of garden mint, but without the "nasty."

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Accepted Scientific Name: Clinopodium menthifolium (Host) Stace
• Synonyms: Calamintha sylvatica Bromf., Calamintha menthifolia
• Common Names: Woodland Calamint, Wood Calamint, Mountain Balm, Basil Thyme
• Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species (also subspecies, e.g., Calamintha sylvatica Bromf. subsp. ascendens (Jord.) P.W. Ball and Clinopodium menthifolium subsp. ascendens)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Northern temperate regions, including western Europe to central Asia and North America.
• Found in grassland, scrub, and woodlands.
• Specifically mentioned as growing in limestone woodland in the UK and in the dappled shade of woodlands.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Perennial plant growing up to 0.6 meters (2 feet) in height and 0.5 meters (1 foot 8 inches) in width.
• Forms a rounded shrub.
• Evergreen during summer.
• Showy flowers are described as small and purplish-pink.

Ecological Role

• Cited as part of woodland biodiversity.
• Mentioned alongside species like the Red Squirrel, Common Dormouse and bats.
• Requires disturbance and coppicing to thrive in woodland environments.

Additional Information

• Hardy to zone (UK) 6.
• Flowers from July onwards.

Resources

• USDA PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov
• Dave's Garden
• Discover Life
• Encyclopedia of Life
• International Plant Names Index