Virginia Mountain-mint

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Pollinator Value

🐛 Larval Host: Lintneria eremitus, Heliothis virescens, Eutrapela clemataria
S13+S15 3 verified Eastern NA

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Ranked S3 (Vulnerable) in Quebec and S4 (Apparently Secure) in Ontario. Globally secure (G5) with a Canadian national rank of N4. Not listed under SARA. In Quebec, populations are concentrated along the Ottawa River on calcareous substrates, with 18 herbarium specimens documented. The species reaches its northeastern range limit in the St. Lawrence lowlands and Ottawa Valley.
S22 ranks; S26 not SARA listed; S54 18 QC specimens
Rarity Ranks: QC S3 – Vulnerable, ON S4 – Apparently Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Virginia mountain-mint occupies moist to wet open habitats including fens, wet prairies, stream edges, sedge meadows, and moist bluffs [S7, S4]. In the Outaouais region, herbarium specimens document it on calcareous alvar riverain habitat along the Ottawa River at Bristol and Lac-des-Chats, growing with Sorghastrum nutans, Sporobolus heterolepis, and Hypericum kalmianum. Ranked S3 (Vulnerable) in Quebec, its populations concentrate along the Ottawa River corridor.
S7 fens, prairies, meadows; S4 wet prairies, stream edges; S48 alvar riverain habitat; S22 S3 QC

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]
Notes: Virginia mountain-mint functions as a powerful insectary plant in guild designs, attracting 37 recorded bee species and numerous other beneficial insects. PFAF recommends it for woodland garden sunny edges and cultivated beds. Its strong aromatic foliage may help deter herbivores when planted near less-resistant species. The rhizomatous habit provides moderate ground stabilization in moist guild plantings.
S29 woodland garden; S68 37 bee species; S64 beneficial insects

Category: Alterative, Analgesic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Febrifuge, Stimulant
S29 PFAF; S28 Moerman categories
Notes: Used extensively in Chippewa, Meskwaki, and Lakota traditional medicine. The Chippewa used compound leaf decoctions for chills and fever, and powdered root decoctions for menstrual disorders. The Meskwaki employed infusions of leaves and plant tops as an alterative, febrifuge, and stimulant. PFAF notes the tea is alterative, diaphoretic, and carminative, used for indigestion, colic, coughs, and colds. A possible abortifacient effect has been suggested.
S28 Chippewa, Meskwaki, Lakota uses; S29 PFAF medicinal properties

✅ Edible

Foraging Notes: Flower buds and leaves used raw or cooked as a mint-flavoured condiment and salad addition. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing mint-like tea. The Chippewa used buds and flowers to season meat or broth. Xerces Society notes leaves can be used for tea.
S29 condiment, tea; S28 Chippewa spice; S64 tea