Blephilia hirsuta (hairy wood mint)

Wood mint, also known as pagoda plant, is a woodland perennial that gardeners appreciate for its beauty and pleasant aroma. The flowers can be either light blue, pale purple, or white with purple spots. Each flower is about a half-inch long with light green sepals, two main 'lips', two visible stamens, and a style that is divided at its tip. The flowers appear in summer for about a month and half. The leaves, which are arranged oppositely along the stem, are pleasantly fragrant when crushed or damaged, and the petioles are covered with little hairs. Grows to 12–47" tall. Best in wild, native plant or open woodland gardens.

Wood mint is native to eastern and north central United States, where it is found in rich, moist, shady woods, slopes, and valleys. Many different types of bees, flies, and butterflies pollinate the hairy wood mint because they get a nectar reward. Most of the pollinating is done by long-tongued bees, including little carpenter bees, mason bees, and leaf-cutting bees. The foliage is probably not appealing to mammals because of the scent.

BONAP Native Range Map (bright green indicates county native, dark green indicates state native)  

Photo credit: Wyalusing State Park