ExplorePlants

Lesser Calamint

Clinopodium nepeta

Lesser Calamint is a small, fragrant plant with tiny purple flowers. It grows in sunny places and is loved by bees and butterflies. This plant is great for making gardens smell nice!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Lesser Calamint is a bushy, perennial herb growing to about 60cm, featuring small, oval, aromatic leaves. Its delicate, pale lilac to white flowers, often speckled with purple, are arranged in whorls along its stems, giving it a subtle charm.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyLamiaceaeGenusClinopodium
Lesser Calamint
aromatic trait badgeflowering trait badgefragrant_flower trait badgemedicinal trait badge
Lesser Calamint

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

In some cultures, it was tossed on floors to freshen homes before vacuums!

Its leaves release a lovely minty-oregano scent when you brush past them!

Over 40 different insect species, especially bees, adore its tiny blooms!

The name "Calamint" comes from Greek, meaning "beautiful mint"!

Special abilities

Ability

Aroma Armor

Lesser Calamint can produce strong aromatic oils that help it deter hungry herbivores from nibbling its leaves.

Ability

Nectar Beacon

Lesser Calamint has tiny, sweet flowers that act like a beacon, attracting many helpful insect pollinators.

Ability

Sun Seeker

Lesser Calamint can thrive in hot, dry, sunny spots where many other plants would struggle to grow.

Measurements & details

Height
30-60 cm
Spread
30-45 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Summer to early Autumn
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen from its flowers.

pollinates

Painted lady butterfly

Vanessa cardui

Drinks nectar from its small, sweet blossoms.

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen resources.

eaten by

Humans

Homo sapiens

Brewed into a fragrant herbal tea or used in cooking.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching or tasting any plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Lesser Calamint?

30-60 cm

How wide does Lesser Calamint spread?

30-45 cm

How big are the flowers on Lesser Calamint?

0.5-1 cm

When does Lesser Calamint bloom?

Summer to early Autumn

Is Lesser Calamint edible?

Yes

Is Lesser Calamint toxic?

None

What is Lesser Calamint's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Lesser Calamint pollinated?

Insect

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