Doheny Memorial Library, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189 Public Domain. Release under the CC BY Attribution license--http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/--Credit both “University of Southern California. Libraries” and “California Historical Society” as the source. Digitally reproduced by the USC Digital Library; From the California Historical Society Collection at the University of Southern California Send requests to address or e-mail given USC Libraries Special Collections specol@usc.edu
Description
Photograph of a close-up of a specimen of mustang mints (Monardella lanceolata), ca.1920. Six stems at the lower edge of the image lead up to their respective blooms on top, which look like pom-poms. They are set on neutral background. "These are erect clumps of annual and perennial herbaceous plants that grow wild in North America. These plants can grow up to 3 feet high and are usually sold for the beauty of their striking blossoms. M. pectinata (the Lemon Mint) has thin leaves that are lanceolate to oblong and have the scent of lemons. It bears whorls of flowers that are up to 2 inches across and may be white to pink and purplish. The most popular kind is M. didyma (Oswego Tea, Bee Balm, or Bergamot), which has spicy, fragrant foliage. The Bergamot produces heads of flowers during the summer that each has a pincushion like center. The wild species mainly have red flowers, but modern hybrids may come in red, pink, purple, lavender, or white. These lovely flowers attract bees and hummingbirds. M. fistulosa, the Wild Bergamot, resembles M. didyma except that the plants are a little bit shorter and have smaller leaves. The flowers are usually lavender, but purple, pink, or white flowers occasionally occur in wild stands. This plant isn't as pretty as M. didyma, but it makes a better tea or tisane. Many garden varieties have also been developed." -- unknown author.
Type
image
Format
2 photographs : glass photonegative, photoprint, b&w 26 x 21 cm. glass plate negatives photographic prints photographs
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