Monarda menthaefolia, Wild
Oregano (of the Sierras). See/save
a large original JPEG from the
image database. This photo shows
good identification characteristics
for most of the mint family: the
square stem, the opposed
lance-shaped leaves. Crushing
and smelling are good field tests.
Mint species taste somewhat
different. This one goes well with
tomatoes raw or cooked (used a
lot in southwest native cooking).
It doesn't have coolness we call
minty..Wild horsemint, Monardia
punctata (another common name
is spotted bee-balm). Big JPEG
original of this photo from the
Herb Research Foundation's
images database. To recognize
this mint by its leaves and stems
when it's not in its bright yellow
flower (late spring/summer), it
would be a good idea to examine
the Herb Research foundation's
big picture.Native Foods -- Herbal Teas -- mints
http://www.kstrom.net/isk/food/mint.html (2 of 4) [5/17/2004 11:47:57 AM]