Blephilia (Downy Pagoda Plant or Wood Mint) is a genus of three species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. They are all herbaceous plants native to eastern North America. The species are most often found in thin woods and in granite and limestone soils. Blephilia hirsuta and Blephilia ciliata are considered threatened or endangered in some states.

Appearance

The genus includes only perennial species; they spread by both seeds and through stem division. Small purple flowers bloom on top of upper-leaf axils, often in several circular layers (hence the common name pagoda-plant). Leaves are bright green with whitish coloring underneath, pointed, lobed, and like all members of the mint family occur in opposite pairs. The species in this genus vary in size, but generally grow to about 1-2 feet and form in clumps. Species

• Blephilia ciliata (Downy pagoda-plant)
• Blephilia hirsuta (Hairy pagoda-plant)
• Blephilia subnuda (Cumberland pagoda-plant)

References