Among The Wild Mountain Mint
A fascinating family of mints Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum) are only native to North America and are different than old world mints (Mentha). Several Pycnanthemum species grow wild in the highlands regions of Harriman and Sterling Forest State Parks. Species of Mountain Mint were used by Native Americans for various medicinal purposes. Crushed leaves repel insects, however, the nectar of the flowers attracts hordes of bees, wasps, moths and butterflies and are wonderful plants in a garden setting.
Geoff Welch, Curator of Harmony Hall, a member of the Palisades Interstate Park League of Naturists and the Sterling Forest Partnership has been scouting out various wild Mountain mints and growing mountain Mint at the Harmony Hall for over a decade.
Geoff’s photographs show Mountain Mint in both its wild setting and in a garden setting with the various interesting insects that visit this pungently-scented plant. Join him on Sunday, July 8th at 1 PM at the Sterling Forest State Park Visitors Center for this PowerPoint lecture. He will also bring some potted Mountain Mint specimens.