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Plant Profile

Longspurred Mint (Dicerandra cornutissima)

The purplish-rose flowers of D. cornutissima have deep purple markings and a whitish throat. The anthers of these flowers are tipped by a 1.2mm long spur, hence the common name: longspurred mint. Photo Credit: © 1991 Steve Shirah

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Lamiaceae
State: FL
Nature Serve ID: 141499
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 04/04/1991

Description:

Dicerandra cornutissima, or longspurred mint, is a strongly aromatic plant. It is a short-lived perennial that grows from seed. It can grow up to 1.6 feet tall with the erect, non-woody flowering shoots growing from a woody base. The linear leaves are about 1/2 of in an inch long, covered with conspicuous glands, and with entire margins. The leaves are borne opposite of one another, often with two smaller leaves at each node. The purplish-rose flowers of this species distinguish it from others in the genus, with deep purple markings, a whitish throat, and a style with few, if any, hairs. These flowers are borne in groups in the axils of the leaves, and are usually found on the upper parts of the stems. The two-lipped, 7mm long petals form a tube which is bent at a 90-degree angle in the middle. The anthers are tipped by a 1.2 mm long spur, hence the common name. Longspurred mint flowers in September and produces fruit in the form of four small nutlets. This species reproduces only from seed, and does not spread vegetatively. (USFWS 1987)

Where is Longspurred Mint (Dicerandra cornutissima) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Longspurred mint grows in the xeric upland habitats of sandhill and scrub of Marion and Sumpter counties. The longspurred mint is found only in open areas in sand pine scrub or oak scrub, and the ectones between these and turkey oak communities. It can colonize the edges of road rights-of-way (USFWS 1987).Associates include Andropogon, Bulbosylis, Cyperus, Arisitida, Panicum, Cenchrus, Polygonella, Lechea, Hypericum, and Opuntia. (USFWS 1987)

Distribution:

Dicerandra cornutissima has been found in Marion and Sumpter (extirpated) counties, in an area south-southwest of Ocala (Coile 2000).

States & Provinces:

Longspurred Mint can be found in Florida

Which CPC Partners conserve Longspurred Mint (Dicerandra cornutissima)?

Bok Tower Gardens

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 06/09/17

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

Tina Stanley

05/11/2023

According to a March 2023 extract of the Florida Plant Rescue Database, Bok Tower Gardens holds 3 accessions of Dicerandra cornutissima totalling approximately 130296 seeds.

09/08/2020

The genetic diversity of this and three other endemic Florida scrub Dicerandra species was studied using allozymes and found that considerable genetic variation is still present in the remaining populations of this species, but that protecting the remaining populations throughout their limited range is very important in order to preserve this variation. (McDonald & Hamrick 1996)

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Known from only 15 locations in Sumter and Marion counties, Florida. This species has few individuals and a very restricted range, and is experiencing a reduction in habitat from development pressures.

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

Urbanization and development of critical habitat. Depletion of gene pool. Sporadic collection of species. Trampling from general public. (USFWS 1987)

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

Longspurred mint is known from 15 occurrences; only 6 are protected, all in a single conservation area (Coile 2000). The population in Ocala Waterway may number several thousand plants The population in Marion Oaks may number at least 1000 plants 11 sites, recently found on DNR Barge canal lands

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

At this time, Bok Tower Gardens is not aware of any new management programs.

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

Purchase and protect privately owned sites. Control foot and off-road vehicle traffic. Eradicate exotic pest plants. Use occasional fire to open habitat and reduce competition. (Coile 2000)

S.K. Maddox

01/01/2010

Research on propagation methods, cuttings or seeds. Study the effects of soil disturbance within the ex situ collection beds. (Brazis, Pers. comm. 2001)