Agastache cana

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Lamiids
Ordo: Lamiales

Familia: Lamiaceae
Subfamilia: Nepetoideae
Tribus: Mentheae
Subtribus: Nepetinae
Genus: Agastache
Species: Agastache cana
Name

Agastache cana (Hook.) Wooton & Standl., 1913
Synonyms

Basionym
Cedronella cana Hook., Bot. Mag. 77: t. 4618 (1851).
Homotypic
Cedronella mexicana var. cana (Hook.) A.Gray, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 8: 370 (1872).
Heterotypic
Cedronella hastifolia Regel, Index Seminum (LE, Petropolitanus) 1868: 85 (1869).

Distribution
Native distribution areas:
Agastache cana

Continental: Northern America
Regional: Southern Central USA
S. New Mexico, W. Texas.

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Wooton, E.O. & Standley, P.C., 1913. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium. Smithsonian Institution 16:166. 1913

Additional references

Govaerts, R.H.A. 2003. World Checklist of Selected Plant Families Database in ACCESS: 1-216203. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [unavailable for the public] Reference page.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2022. Agastache cana in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2022 May 02. Reference page.
Hassler, M. 2022. Agastache cana. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2022. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2022 May 02. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2022. Agastache cana. Published online. Accessed: May 02 2022.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agastache cana in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 09-Oct-10.

Vernacular names

Agastache cana, more commonly known as the mosquito plant, Texas hummingbird mint, and double bubble mint, is a hardy perennial belonging to the genus Agastache (pronounced /ˌæɡəˈstɑːkiː/). The genus name Agastache is derived from the Greek word meaning "a lot of", and stachy, meaning "spike", which refers to the flower's 12 terminal spikes that decorate the plant. These spikes remain through the growing season from early summer to late fall.[1] The Mosquito Plant is native to New Mexico and western Texas, where it grows in mountainous areas at altitudes of 6,000 feet.[2]

Morphology

Individuals of this species grow to an average height of 3 feet by 2 feet wide in a shrub habit. It is an erect perennial species with ovate leaves, semi-woody structure, and profuse branching. The flowers of the mosquito plant are 5 zygomorphic petals fused into a tube shape. Two of these petals extend forward like a visor, while the other 3 petals form a reflexed lip.[3] The flowers are arranged in whorls accompanied by compact spikes. The tubular shape flower blossoms as dark pink clusters and towers over the mint scented foliage. The fruit that arise from these plants divide into 4 dark nutlets each about 2 mm long. The grayish-green colored leaves (cana means grey) has a mint bubblegum fragrance. The flowers are hermaphroditic, which means the flower contains both male and female parts.[4] A. cana is a prolific organism, which means it actively reproduces all growing season. It begins to blossom in early June and continues to bloom until late September.[2]
Habitat and ecology

This species is generally found in New Mexico and Texas in southern mountains at elevations of about 5,000–6,000 feet.[5] They can be found in crevices and cracks of granite cliffs or in canyon edges. These elevations provide dry slopes and neutral pH soil for A. cana. This species is low maintenance. It prefers to grow in well-drained soil and needs full exposure to sun. This species needs good drainage in order to avoid overgrowth of mold and mildew in the soil. It needs medium amounts of water to sustain itself. A. cana is a drought-tolerant organism and can endure cold temperatures up to −20 °F.[3] A. cana thrives in contained areas and herb gardens. It is an attractant of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Butterflies are essentially drawn in by the scent of the flowers, while hummingbirds are attracted to the sweet nectar and tubular-shaped blossoms of bright reds or purples.[6]
Usage

The mosquito plant has obtained recognition for attracting broad-tailed hummingbirds that are used for migration pattern studies. It is also known to be an herb that is edible. Dried petals of the flower and leaves can be used in tea. This species is used for ornamental purposes for many rock garden homes in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Most importantly, A. cana is known for being a natural mosquito repellent. This mint family member has a highly flavored oil that minimizes contact with many flying insects, including mosquitos. It works in the same way as the citronella-geranium hybrid plant.[7] In order to release the mosquito-repelling odor, the plant needs to be crushed and rubbed unto surfaces. Many people apply the contents of the crushed plant directly to their skin. When A. cana is brought together with larval control and mosquito breeding sites, it can effectively decrease the mosquito population in a given area.[2]
References

"Agastache cana 'Sinning' Sonoran Sunset". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
Howard, M. "Agastache cana". New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
Henrickson, J. (1997). A flora of the Chihuahuan Desert region. Los Angeles: J. Henrickson. p. 2.
"Agastache cana - (Hook.)Wooton.&Standl". Plant For A Future. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
"Classification for Kingdom Plantae Down to Species Agastache cana". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
"Butterfly Plants Cultural Info" (PDF). Dallas Parks and Recreation Department. Texas Discovery Gardens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
Martin, W.C; C.R. Hutchins (1981). A Flora of New Mexico. 2.