American Pennyroyal, Squaw mint
Hedeoma pulegioides

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a bushy annual plant. It grows up to about 45 cm high. The leaves are on long stalks and are rounded at their base. The leaves are oval and 2.5 cm long. The flowers are small and blue. They are in small clusters in the axils of leaves.

There are about 24 Hedeoma species.

Where it is found

It grows in cool temperate climates. It grows in dry soil and waste places such as along roadsides. It suits plant hardiness zone 4.

Countries/locations it is found in

Britain, Canada, Europe, France, Germany, Netherlands, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The leaves, fresh or dried are used to make tea. The dried leaves smell of mint. The leaves are used in flavouring. It is also the source of an essential oil used to flavour ice cream, sweets and baked goods.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cunila pulegioides (L.) L.; Melissa pulegioides L.; Ziziphora pulegioides (L.) Desf.;