Frosted Mint, Grey Mint, Rosemary Mint,Poliomintha incana,Mint Lamiaceae)

Found in sand, on arroyo edges
Seen blooming in August on the Madera Trail, Santa Fe NF

Frosted Mint is a sprawling, greyish, aromatic shrub growing one to three feet high and three feet across covered in fine, white hairs. The leaves are small and narrow. Tiny, two-lipped flowers grow in whorls at the base of the upper leaves forming long clusters. Flowers are pale lavender with purple spots on the lower lip. I have seen these plants in bloom from June to August. Depending on the time of year, the plant will smell more like rosemary, mint, or a combination of the two. Traditionally, the leaves were eaten raw, cooked or dried and used as a flavoring in seed mushes and other dishes. The plant has been used externally in the treatment of sores, rheumatism and ear problems. The leaves have been used to sweeten the flavor of other medicinal herbs whilst increasing their potency. Source.
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