Purple roadside flowers

[MarcP]

When I first saw these, I thought they were self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), but a second look at the leaves and they clearly are not. Any guesses on what this wild flower (weed) is?

[DoubleDogFarm]

Agastache foeniculum or a close relative.

Eric

[MarcP]

It sure does look like some kind of hyssop, now that you point it out. According to UM directory, Agastache foeniculum only grows in the northernmost part of our upper peninsula but that's what it looks like. More so than Agastache scrophulariifolia which does grow here (along with other varieties that look even less like mine). Now that I am sure it's a hyssop, I have a solid base for researching it. Thanks so much for that input
Marc

[rainbowgardener]

Get used to smelling things you are trying to ID. If it is anise hyssop (which was my thought also), the licorice mint smell of crushed leaves is absolutely distinctive.

[MarcP]

A friend suggested it might be mint. So I drove back and crushed a couple of leaves. It didn't smell like anise and only vaguely like mint: More like a very mild Campho-Phenique if anyone remembers that scent. Anyone think it might be Agastache scrophulariifolia, a variety that does grow this far south in Michigan? Another question, aside from the fact that it doesn't smell much like mint, is there anything visual about it that tells you it's not mint?
Since the other photos were too large to load quickly, here's another one:

[DoubleDogFarm]

Looks mint to me.


Eric

[MarcP]

Looks mint to me.


Eric

Now I'm confused. It sure didn't smell much like mint.

[DoubleDogFarm]

Note that there are a handful of other plants with square stems and opposite leaves, which may be confused with the Mints. Those plants are found in the Loosestrife, Verbena and Stinging Nettle families, but none of them smell minty.

But none of the above have the right type of flower.

https://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/Pl ... iaceae.htm


Eric

[rainbowgardener]

OK, now that I'm looking at it again, the leaves aren't really right for anise hyssop (besides the fact that it clearly doesn't have the right smell from what you said)


https://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2005/0 ... 3a894e.jpg anise hyssop

but then I don't know what it is, though it still looks really familiar...

[Mr_bobo_]

Looks mint to me.


Eric

I can say the same... I have that kond of at home and it definite smell like mint, and very smell is very strong... I made tea from it...

[applestar]

Yeah it looks like peppermint to me....

[rainbowgardener]

peppermint seems closer.

campho-phenique was camphor and menthol (mint).

Hyssop - Yet another member of the large Mint family, Hyssop is an easy to grow, attractive herb that makes a useful border or edging plant. It attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, and as such is a valuable addition to a habitat-type situation. It has a minty-licorice taste and a strong camphor-like smell.
https://www.gardensablaze.com/Perennials ... lHerbs.htm

They have acquired their common name Mentha from Minthes (according to Ovid) who was changed into a plant of this sort by Proserpina, the wife of Pluto, in a fit of jealousy. Their flowering tops are all found to contain a certain portion of camphor.
https://www.gardenherbs.org/simples/mint ... armint.htm

Above article has lots of fun mint lore.

So smelling like camphophenique doesn't rule it out from being hyssop or mint.

[Mr_bobo_]

OH, I was not correct...

... Mentha piperita is my final answer...

[MarcP]

peppermint seems closer.

campho-phenique was camphor and menthol (mint).

Hyssop - Yet another member of the large Mint family, Hyssop is an easy to grow, attractive herb that makes a useful border or edging plant. It attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, and as such is a valuable addition to a habitat-type situation. It has a minty-licorice taste and a strong camphor-like smell.
https://www.gardensablaze.com/Perennials ... lHerbs.htm

They have acquired their common name Mentha from Minthes (according to Ovid) who was changed into a plant of this sort by Proserpina, the wife of Pluto, in a fit of jealousy. Their flowering tops are all found to contain a certain portion of camphor.
https://www.gardenherbs.org/simples/mint ... armint.htm

Above article has lots of fun mint lore.

So smelling like camphophenique doesn't rule it out from being hyssop or mint.

Thanks rainbow. I meant to suggest that it had a hint of mint scent but not a particularly pleasant one. I went back today and, for some reason, it did smell a bit more minty. On my way home, I pulled over and parked next to a sign that said "DANGER, high voltage" or something. Nevertheless, I'm alive and found some stuff I hadn't yet photographed! I thought one was baneberry (dolls eye) but when I got back and looked...oh, nevermind. I'll upload the picture soon

[MarcP]

OH, I was not correct...

... Mentha piperita is my final answer...

Thank you. After smelling it again, I do think it has more of a peppermint scent. So, I'm going with the majority and will assume that's what it is

[DoubleDogFarm]

mint

And finally, a wafer thin mint