Species	Dicerandra frutescens
Common Name	Scrub balm, Lake Placid scrub mint
Habitat	Oak scrub
Legal Status	US – Endangered (1985), FL – Endangered
Flowering Time	September – October

Distribution

Scrub balm grows on yellow sands in Florida scrub. It is found only on the Lake Wales Ridge, with most populations south of Josephine Creek in southern Highlands County.

Description

Scrub balm is an aromatic, bushy shrub growing to 20 inches high. Flowers are less than 0.8 inches long. Stems and leaves have a minty odor. Plants are pollinated primarily by bee-flies. The flower parts contain a trigger that, when contacted by bee-flies, places the pollen onto the insect.

Interesting Facts

Chemical compounds in scrub balm deter herbivores. These chemical compounds give scrub balm the minty odor. The leaves can be used to create mint flavoring and essential oils. Other related dicerandra species have distinct, but different, odors.

References

Menges, Eric S., Archbold Biological Station
World Spice Plants by Johannes Seidemann, Springer-Verlag-Berlin-New York ©2005, p.135
Plant Description from the Fish and Wildlife Service (pdf)
Field Guide to the Rare Plants of Florida by Linda Chafin, Tallahasse FL ©2000.
Description from the National Collection of Imperiled Plants

Art by Mollie Doctrow