Small, pink to purplish-lavender clusters that bloom from August to September lend an air of enchantment to this fragrant herbaceous perennial of the mint family. Pairs of petite, green leaves holding small clusters of flowers are spaced along each wiry stem of this many-branched plant. In spring, the leaves and stems are deep green and burgundy, changing to a lighter green and brown as the plant matures. The flowers' cool colors in early fall are a welcome contrast to the typical autumnal yellows, reds, and oranges. Dittany has a preference for poor, rocky, slightly acidic soils and average to dry conditions, and it does well in full sun or part shade. It has few disease or pest issues, although excess moisture on the leaves may cause a rust fungus. The well-behaved plant spreads by rhizomes and dispersal of its dust-like seeds. It may be easily propogated via stem cuttings or division of the roots.
During a sudden overnight drop in temperatures during fall, dittany may form fantastical, icy sculptures that result from the bursting and freezing of exposed water pushed out from the base of the stems (other common names are fairy skirts, stone mint, and frost flowers). Naturalist Jim McCormac says the ice art looks like ribbon candy, and he spent one November morning documenting the white sculptures as seen on his blog site, Ohio Birds and Biodiversity (https://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2022/11/frost-flowers.html).
Dittany's leaves are valued for their edible and medicinal properties. The intense fragrance is similar to that of culinary oregano due to the presence of carvacrol, a phenolic monoterpetoid found in essential oils of oregano and other plants (another common name is wild oregano. The species name is from origanum, which means, "like oregano"). Carvacrol is believed to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Some sources claim that it helps to induce perspiration, relieve flatulence, and work with other herbals as an antispasmodic. Carvacrol is important to the plants it inhabits because it discourages plant pests such as insect larvae and vertebrates. It has even been considered for use as a natural pest control in agriculture.
Native habitats include dry, rocky, or open woods; clearings; slopes; and prairies. Use as a border plant and in naturalized areas; in woodlands; on slopes or banks; and in native, herb, rock, or drought-tolerant gardens.
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 9-18"tall.
Prefers full or part sun.
Prefers average to dry, shallow rocky soils with slight acidity. May also do well in clay. Tolerates poor soils and drought.
Tubular flowers are 1/4 - 1/3" wide with 2 upper-lobed and 3 lower-lobed tiny lips. The lobes are softly hairy and the corolla is pink or lavender. Filaments of the stamen are white to light purple. Pink to lavender anthers turn brown as they mature. Style is white to light purple. In fall, each flower forms 4 ellipsoid, 1mm-long, brown nutlets with 3 blunt angles. The tiny seeds are easily blown away by wind.
Small, opposite, lanceolate or ovate leaves are yellowish-green to dark green with pointed tips and slightly toothed margins. Leaf venation is pinnate and there are soft hairs along major leaf veins. Leaves have a strong mint fragrance when crushed. In the fall after the first frost, the leaves change to deep reddish-purple.
The smooth, slightly hairy, four-sided stems are long and wiry. Color is purplish green to dark reddish purple. Root system is fibrous.
Wildlife Value:
Little information is available regarding floral/faunal relationships. Host plant for the moth Stephensia cunilae. Nectar attracts bees, butterflies, small flies, skippers, and other pollinators. Moderately important nectar source for migrating monarchs. Deer resistant.
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
See medicinal properties and uses above.
The plant parts may be brewed into a tea. Leaves are used to garnish salads and other dishes.
Resources:
North Caroline Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cunila-origanoides/
Illinois Wildflowers: http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/am_dittany.html
Nadia's Backyard: https://nadiasyard.com/our-native-plants/american-dittany-cunila-origanoides-magic-in-this-medicine/
Sovereignty Herbs: https://www.sovereigntyherbs.com/blog/american-dittany