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Clinopodium coccineum (Scarlet calamint)
Lewis, A. D.

Clinopodium coccineum (Nutt. ex Hook.) Kuntze

Scarlet Calamint, Scarlet Wild Basil, Red Savory, Red Mint Shrub, Scarlet Balm, Southern Calamint, Red Basil

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Synonyms: Calamintha coccinea, Cunila coccinea, Satureja coccinea

USDA Symbol: clco10

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Scarlet Calamint is a small shrub with wiry stems and small, obovate to spatulate, opposite leaves. The flowers are strongly two-lipped and scarlet with darker red spots. The lower lip has three distinct lobes and there are 4 anthers per flower. ADL.

This species should be cultivated because it blooms thoughout the year and the flowers are especially colorful. ADL. Yellow-flowered variants occasionally occur. Foliage is mildly aromatic.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub , Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen , Semi-evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Oblanceolate , Obovate , Spatulate
Leaf Pubescence: Glandular
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Base: Cuneate
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Inflorescence: Axillary
Size Notes: To 1 meter in height.
Flower: Flowers 25-50mm. Petals scarlet
Fruit: Brown. 1mm.
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Bloom Notes: Flowers scarlet. May bloom year-round, but flowering peaks in summer.

Distribution

USA: AL , FL , GA , MS
Native Distribution: Southern Georgia to Southern Mississippi and south to Central Florida.
Native Habitat: Sand hills and sandy flatwoods on the coastal plain.
USDA Native Status: L48 N

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy soils.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy flowers produced year-round.
Use Wildlife: Flowers very attractive to hummingbirds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Clump Division , Seeds , Semi-hardwood Cuttings
Description: Stick cuttings in early summer.
Seed Collection: Spring or fall.
Maintenance: Takes pruning.

Bibliography

Bibref 565 - Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Northern Florida and Adjacent Georgia and Alabama (1989) Godfrey, R.K.
Bibref 1247 - Wildflowers of Mississippi (unpublished manuscript) (0) A.D. Lewis

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Clinopodium coccineum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Clinopodium coccineum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Clinopodium coccineum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-09-14
Research By: JAM

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