Browne's Savory

DO NOT HARVEST FROM THE WILD IN SOUTH FLORIDA: It is listed as "critically imperiled" by Regional Conservation's IRC South Florida Status. [11] If planted as a groundcover in wet areas, know that it does not handle foot traffic well, being so delicate. Lindernia and Mazus species occur across much of Florida and appear similar. They DON NOT posses the peppermint scent however.   

EDIBLE - USED LIKE PEPPERMINT: Think of this native mint as Florida's Peppermint, in fact, that is what I sometimes call it. Use it as you would peppermint, which it has a similar scent to, in teas, sprinkled raw atop salads, in cool summer drinks, etc. I have enjoyed it, freshly chopped, in homemade chickpea hummus. The website Useful Tropical Plants writes, "The plant is a popular local herbal tea and has potential as an insect repellent." Just walking upon a spread of this very fragrant wild mint will delight your nostrils. Cornucopia 2 writes, "The plant has a strong peppermint-like flavor and fragrance. It is locally popular as a herb tea." [8]
DO NOT HARVEST FROM THE WILD IN SOUTH FLORIDA: It is listed as "critically imperiled" by Regional Conservation's IRC South Florida Status. [11]
NOTE: Some authors tell us that it has a scent similar to Pennyroyal. I say Peppermint.
PRESUMED INSECT REPELLENT: The Flora of Guatemala writes, "The essential oil of that plant [Pennyroyal, Hedeoma pulegioides] is often employed in the United States, where it is applied to the skin as a preventive of mosquito bites. It is to be presumed that this species has the same properties." ANDY'S NOTE: I would like to see this proven, it may be an effective mosquito repellant, but we shall see.
BUTTERFLY ATTRACTANT: The blooms attract butterflies.
WATER GARDEN PLANT: It is panted at the edges of garden ponds.
GROUNDCOVER: It is planted as a groundcover in wet areas. [12] Know that it does not take foot traffic well.
"No known hazards." [6]
AQUARIUM PLANT: It is occasionally sold as an aquarium plant.
ANDY'S NOTE: I would like to see it incorporated into homemade soaps as well as fermented drinks. Let me know if you have used it in these or any other ways. The US Forest Service writes about the related Yerba Buena, Clinopdoium douglasii, of the west coast of North America. They write, "The oils are also used for perfumes or potpourris." Perhaps we should try this with Browne's Savory. 

NATIVE TO: "South America: Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia; Caribbean: Jamaica to Bahamas; Central America - Honduras to Mexico; North America: Mexico to Florida." [6] To South Carolina. [2] Scattered counties across Florida.
ANDY'S NOTE: There has been some debate as to it being native to Florida or not. I look to the Atlas of Florida Plants [Prof. Wundelrin and crew at USF], and they say that it surely is.
HABITAT: "Swamps, marshes, stream banks, woods and ditches in Florida." [7] Ditches, wetlands. [12]
ETYMOLOGY: "Clinopodium means “bent” or “sloping foot.” [13] Green Deane writes, "It was named after  Patrick Browne (1720-1790)." Relating to one of its synonyms, Green Deane writes, "Micromeria means little parts, or in this case little leaves and flowers."
DESCRIPTION: Perennial sprawling delicate herb. Long lived. [12]
PHENOLOGY: Evergreen. [12]
HEIGHT: 2-12" tall. [1]
STEMS: Square. Trailing to 40 cm. long. [6]
ANDY'S NOTE: Many websites list it as hairy. Wikipedia even lists it as being "heavily pubescent." which it is not. I agree with Green Deane in that the stems seem hairless under magnification.
LEAVES: Opposite.
FLOWERS: White with purple spots. Corolla bilabiate. [2] Stamens four. [2]
CULTURE:
HARDINESS: USDA zones 8A to 10A. [12]
SOIL: Wet conditions. Sand or loam. [12]
LIGHT: Full sun may be best [1], or partial to deep shade.
PROPAGATION: By seed. [6] By divisions or cuttings. [12]
RELATED SPECIES IN FLORIDA: Two other Clinopodium species, both non-native, grow here in Florida's wilds. Neither are at all common.
One, SLENDER WILD BASIL, Clinopodium gracile, is only found in two panhandle counties. [3]
The second, WILD BASIL, Clinopodium vulgare, has only been reported from Orange county. [3]
LOOK ALIKES IN FLORIDA'S WILDS: Lindernia and Mazus species occur across much of Florida and appear similar. They DON NOT posses the peppermint scent however.
ANOTHER WELL KNOWN CLINOPODIUM: YERBA BUENA, Clinopodium douglasii, is a species native to the western coast of North America and has been used by natives.