PLANT NAME
Clinopodium arkansanum has had several name changes. You may recall it as Calamintha Arkansana and before that Satureja Arkansana. It’s a member of the mint family. The current genus name, Clinopodium, means "like a bed's foot", supposedly referring to the knobby shape of the flowers.
This plant has quite a few common names. I prefer Arkansas calamint or Ozark calamint. But its also known as Wild savory, Low calamint, Limestone calamint and probably more. The name “calamint” means beautiful mint, which is quite appropriate!.
BLOOM
The tiny, trumpet shaped flowers occur in masses on the plant, looking very dainty and beautiful. Individual flowers arise at leaf axils. They are tubular shaped with two lips. The the upper lip consists of two lobes that curve backwards with the lower lip consisting of three lobes curved downward. The tubular calyx is ribbed with 5 triangular teeth. It may be reddish to green.
There are 4 stamens with 2 of them slightly exerted and 2 inserted within the corolla. The style is also inserted inside the corolla.
Most flowers are blue to purple and occasionally white.
DESCRIPTION
With a height of only 10-12 inches and flowers that are less than half an inch long, Arkansas calamint is definitely on the small side. But, it’s big when it comes to its minty fragrance! The potency of its perfume rivals any rose or narcissus.
The stems are square and branching. They are light green to reddish and usually without hairs. The narrow leaves have a central crease. They are green, opposite and sessile.
After flowering, each flower is replaced with 4 nutlets.
Calamint forms colonies through underground stolons. It could easily be used in a rock garden as a beautiful, aromatic ground cover. It’s much more aromatic than thyme.
You may detect Arkansas calamint in winter as well. It looks quite different but smells the same! In winter the leaves are low-growing and dark green with a roundish shape. They form a mat along the rocky ground.
POLLINATORS
Many interesting pollinators visit Arkansas calamint. At first glance you may not notice them because most are quite small!
PLANTS GROWING NEARBY
On Ozarkedge, Sedum pulchelum (Widow’s Cross) grows in the same area and often alongside Ozark calamint. The bloom time of the two plants overlap. Widow’s Cross blooms first and usually completes its flowering when Arkansas calamint flowers are at their peak. Other plants I’ve found nearby include Glandularia canadensis, Opuntia humifusa, Callirhoe involucrata, Delphinium carolinianum, Verbena simplex, Ruellia humilis, Phemeranthus calycinus, and Echinacea simulata. There are many plant companions that may be found growing near Ozark calamint!
HABITAT
On Ozarkedge, I’ve found Clinopodium Arkansanum growing in our rocky glades on thin, alkaline soil and in full sun to light shade. Water drains quickly on these glades, so the habitat is dry and sunny. I’ve read that it may be found in moist conditions, but I haven't encountered that here.
CONSERVATION STATUS Secure
Arkansas calamint is primarily found in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, although its range extends both north and south.
Natureserve lists Clinopodium arkansanum as Secure. However, it shows no data from Arkansas or Missouri- where it is primarily located.
In Arkansas, Clinopodium arkansanum has a Conservation value of 7 in the group of 4-7, meaning "Typically matrix taxa in intact, stable habitats, with some limited ability to respond to destabilizing forces and repopulate areas from which they have been extirpated."
INTERESTING TIDBITS
I’ve read that chewing the leaves of Ozark calamint will keep your breath fresh for hours. I haven’t tried it and am certainly not recommending it. I’ve also read that it can be dried as a spice or that an excellent flavored oil can be made by infusing it. It’s been used in potpourri and I think it would be wonderful for that!