Downy wood mint

Description

Blephilia ciliata is a species of herbaceous perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae native to eastern North America. It is commonly called downy wood mint. Other common names include downy pagoda-plant, sunny woodmint and Ohio horsemint. Carl Linnaeus described the downy wood mint as Monarda ciliata, before George Bentham gave it its current binomial name. Blephilia ciliata grows as a perennial herb reaching 40 to 80 cm (15.5 to 31.5 in) high. Leaves are sessile, lightly toothed, and mildly fragrant when crushed. Flowers bloom from May to August. Flower petal color can range from blue, purple or white.Its habitats include dry open woods and thickets, clearings, fields, and roadsides. It has traditionally been used by the Cherokee to make a poultice to treat headaches.