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Calamintha grandiflora - (L.)Moench.

Large-Flowered Calamint

Author	(L.)Moench.	Botanical references
Family	Labiatae	Genus	Calamintha
Synonyms	Satureja grandiflora - (L.)Scheele.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	S. Europe.
Habitat	Damp woods and scrub, often on limestone[187].
Edibility Rating	2 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.6m by 0.5m.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Uses: Condiment; Tea.

A sweet and aromatic herb tea is made from the leaves[183]. Very refreshing. The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use[244]. Leaves - used as a flavouring. A pleasant mint-like fragrance and flavour[183].

Medicinal Uses

Aromatic; Diaphoretic; Expectorant.

The leaves are aromatic, diaphoretic and expectorant[244]. An infusion is used in the treatment of jaundice, nervous complaints, convulsions and cramps[244]. A warm poultice of the leaves may help soothe bruises and rheumatic pains[244].

Other Uses

Ground cover.

Plants can be used for ground cover, planted about 45cm apart each way they form spreading clumps[208].

Scented Plants

Flowers: Fresh

The flowers have a delicious minty scent.

Leaves: Crushed

The plant is pleasantly fragrant when bruised.

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained soil and a sunny position[208]. Succeeds in any good soil in sun or partial shade[187]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190], preferring a soil on the dry side[208]. The plant is pleasantly fragrant when bruised[187]. The flowers have a delicious minty scent[245]. Plants often self-sow in gardens if they are well-sited[208].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 21°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they are large enough, otherwise plant them out the following spring. The seed can also be sown outdoors in a dry soil in April[244]. Division in spring or autumn[244]. Very easy, larger clumps can be planted direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer. Basal cuttings in May or June[244]. They should be rooted in a sandy compost[245]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Links

Permaculture.info Details of this plant in the Permaculture.info project, a community plant and permaculture database.

References

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[190] Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982 ISBN 0460045512
A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.

[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[244] Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

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