Mint bush
Elsholtzia stauntonii

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It can grow to 1.7 m tall. The stems branch at the top. They are purple red with grey hairs. The leaves are narrowly oval and 8-12 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are whitish underneath. The flowers are arranged on one side of the spike.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in valleys near streams and on grassy hills and rocky mountains between 700-1,600 m above sea level in central China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a spice or flavouring.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring, spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mu xiang ru

Synonyms

Aphanochilus stauntonii (Benth.) Kudo; Elsholtzia stauntonii f. albiflora H. W. Jen & Y. J. Chang;