Mints are a large family (Lamiaceae) of perennial herbs. The mint family includes about 3,000 species of plants in about 200 genera, very fragrant and rich in medicinal properties. This family is characterized in part by square stems and opposing leaves, with each pair of leaves at right angles to the ones above and below it. Some of the common garden plants in the mint family include rosemary and other sage species, oregano, thyme, basil, lavender, catnip, hyssop, skullcap, and hedgenettle.

Of all the genera in the mint family, the members of the genus Mentha are most typically identified as "mint." Mentha species are easy to distinguish because of their rough, wrinkled, hairy leaves; square stems; and flowers in long spikes. These mints tend to like regular water and develop their best colors and flavors when grown in the sun. They have two growth phases. The first, in early spring, will be evident as the stems head up to make flowers: flower spikes bloom from the bottom up and continue to elongate even as they blossom. After flower production, the second phase kicks in, when horizontal runners take off and cover a lot of distance in a short time.

Native to Woodland

Ten species of mints are native to Woodland.

American Bugleweed (Lycopus americanus) is a perennial herb that is native to all of Woodland and to most of the portion of Yolo County that is in the Sacramento Valley. It grows one and a half feet tall and prefers partial shade. Indigenous Californians have traditionally used it as a dye.

American Field Mint (Mentha arvensis) is a perennial herb that is native to southern Woodland and all of D avis. It can grow a little over two feet tall (but usually stays closer to one foot) and spreads horizontally by rhizomes. It prefers full sun and wet areas. It can be made into mint tea, mint jelly, or mint leaf candy. The Mentha genus is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a fairly safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

American Corn Mint (Mentha canadensis) is a perennial herb that is native to all of Woodland and to most of the portion of Yolo County that is in the Sacramento Valley. It grows one and a half feet tall and spreads horizontally by rhizomes. It prefers full sun and wet areas, although it does not grow directly in water. Its foliage has a peppermint scent. Indigenous Californians have traditionally used it as a remedy for bad breath or toothache, or to bait foxes or bobcats. The Mentha genus is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a fairly safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

Mountain Mint (Monardella odoratissima) in the wild. Photo by queerbychoice.Mountain Mint (Monardella odoratissima) is a perennial herb that is native to most of Woodland (the northwestern three quarters or so of town) and to rural areas north of Woodland. It grows about one foot tall and prefers full sun or partial shade. It can have white, pink, or purple flowers.

Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa) in a garden in W oodland. Photo by queerbychoice.Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa) is a perennial herb that is native to western Woodland, western D avis, and the portion of Yolo County that is westward of a line drawn between the midpoints of Woodland and Davis. It grows about one foot tall and three feet wide and prefers full sun or partial shade. It can be steeped into a mint tea, which Indigenous Californians have traditionally used as a remedy for nausea, respiratory conditions, and sore throat.

Douglas' Mesa Mint (Pogogyne douglasii) is an annual herb that is native to all of Woodland and to most of Yolo County except for the Capay Hills. It grows one and a half feet tall and prefers full sun and vernal pool conditions.

Sacramento Mesa Mint (Pogogyne zizyphoroides) is an annual herb that is native to all of Woodland and to most of the portion of Yolo County that is in the Sacramento Valley. It grows up to six inches tall and prefers full sun and vernal pool conditions.

Bugle Hedgenettle (Stachys ajugoides) is a perennial herb that is native to all of Woodland, D avis, the Dunnigan Hills, and the portion of Yolo County that is eastward of those locations. It grows up to one foot tall and prefers full sun and wet, meadowy areas. The Stachys genus is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a fairly safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

Sonoma Hedgenettle (Stachys stricta) is a perennial herb that is native to all of Woodland, western D avis, and most of the area westward of those locations. It grows about two and a half feet tall. The Stachys genus is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a fairly safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

Vinegar Weed (Trichostema lanceolatum) is an annual herb that is native to all of Woodland, western D avis, and most of the area westward of those locations. It grows a little over three feet tall and prefers full sun and dry, sun-baked, nutrient-poor clay soil. Its foliage has a strong vinegar scent that becomes stronger during hot weather. The scent comes from volatile oils that are toxic to some other plant species, making it harder for other plants to compete with it for nutrients. Indigenous Californians have traditionally used Vinegarweed as a cold and fever remedy, a pain reliever, and a flea repellent. The Trichostema genus is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a fairly safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

Native to Yolo County

Seven more species of mints are native to other parts of Yolo County.

Thymeleaf Mesa Mint (Pogogyne serpylloides) is an annual herb that is native to the Yolo County foothills (not including the Capay Hills). It grows only a little over one inch tall and has pale purple flowers.

Rough Hedgenettle (Stachys rigida) is a perennial herb that is native to southeastern D avis, West Sacramento, the southeastern tip of Yolo County, and the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It grows a little over three feet tall. The Stachys genus is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a fairly safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) in a garden. Photo by queerbychoice.Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) is a perennial herb that is native to Monument Hills and the flatlands just west of the Woodland/D avis metropolitan areas, as well as some of the southeastern Dunnigan Hills. It usually grows about six inches tall and spreads horizontally by rhizomes. Fragrant and fast-growing, with purple flowers, it often volunteers in the shady or partly shady areas watered lawns. It usually does not grow in wetlands but does prefer the slightly damp areas of uplands (non-wetlands). It seems to have originated in Europe, but it spread to California (and to temperate climates throughout the world) long before European humans did, so it is considered native here due to how long our native ecosystems have had to adapt to it. It has been used for healing purposes by many cultures throughout the world. The Prunella genus is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

White Pitcher Sage (Lepechinia calycina) is an aromatic shrub that is native to the Yolo County foothills, including some of the higher Capay Hills. It grows up to eight feet tall and six feet wide. It prefers full sun or partial shade, dry conditions, and excellent drainage. The Miwok people of California have traditionally used an extract of the leaves of this plant to treat fever and headache. The Lepechinia genus is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

Chia (Salvia columbariae) in a garden, mixed with Douglas meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii). Photo by queerbychoice.Chia (Salvia columbariae) is an annual herb that is native to the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It grows up to one and a half feet tall but not as wide. It prefers full sun and dry conditions. An important traditional food for Indigenous Californians, it is related to but different from the species of chia commonly sold in grocery stores or with chia plants. The Salvia genus is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

California Skullcap (Scutellaria californica) is a perennial herb that is native to the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It grows about one and a half feet tall and spreads horizontally by rhizomes. It prefers partial shade. The Scutellaria genus is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

Danny's Skullcap (Scutellaria tuberosa) is a perennial herb that is native to the Yolo County foothills, including the Capay Hills. It grows about one foot tall and spreads horizontally by rhizomes. It prefers full sun or partial shade. The Scutellaria genus is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever sufferers.

Native to California

White Sage (Salvia apiana) in a garden in Woodland, with grapevines behind it and Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa 'Davis') to the right of it.White Sage (Salvia apiana) is an evergreen shrub from Southern California. In the wild, it is under intense threat from poachers who cut it down and sell its stems as smudge sticks (incense). White Sage usually grows 3 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 8 feet wide. It prefers full sun. It has very low water needs and prefers good drainage. It has "perfect" flowers (containing both male and female parts in the same flower). The Salvia genus is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever sufferers. White Sage is planted at Wayne Cline Park.

Non-Native

Sheared Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) hedges are a significant component of the landscaping at Gary Traynham Park.Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is an evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean region. It is commonly used in cooking and can be sheared into low hedges for landscaping purposes. It can typically grow to about 3 feet tall and about 4 feet wide, but many cultivars are available with different shapes and sizes. Rosemary prefers full sun. It has low water needs and prefers good drainage. It has "perfect" flowers (containing both male and female parts in the same flower). The Salvia genus is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever sufferers. Rosemary is planted at Gary Traynham Park.