Hyptis alata, the musky mint or clustered bushmint, is a shrub species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae, the mint family. The genus Hyptis is commonly known as the bushmints. Hyptis alata is the southeastern United States analog to the Southwestern deserts H. emoryi, the desert lavender.; Article & photo gallery - "Aquatic, Wetland, and Invasive Plants–Hyptis alata"USDA: NRCS: Plants Profile Hyptis alata
Varieties Hyptis alata subsp. alata - United States and Cuba Hyptis alata subsp. rugosula (Briq.) Harley - South America
Description H. alata can reach up to 4 feet in height and possesses round flower heads. Its leaves are simple and lanceolate in shape. They have serrated leaf margins. Individuals give off a musky mint scent, the origin of its common name.
Distribution and habitat This species' native range extends throughout the southeastern United States from Texas to North Carolina, as well as in Cuba, Argentina, southern Brazil, and Paraguay.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesBiota of North America Program 2013 county distribution map
It is found in wetlands, prairies, pond margins and wet flatwoods.
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