Elsholtzia ciliata aka Crested Latesummer Mint

Elsholtzia ciliata is also called crested latesummer mint. It is an annual, a plant that lives for one year. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its native range spans the temperate parts of Asia. It reaches Peninsular Malaysia too. It grows in Siberia, the Russian Far East, China, Korea and Japan. Its range also takes in Afghanistan and northern India. It includes Southeast Asia as well. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This upright herb grows about 1–1.6 feet [0.3–0.5 metres] tall. The Ferns also lists a height of 1.3 feet [0.4 metres]. People grow it for its looks and gather wild plants for food. Cooks use its scented leaves to add flavour to food. Insects carry pollen between its flowers. The supplied species accounts do not state when it blooms. They do not give the flower colour, fruit details or leaf shape.

It grows chiefly in temperate areas, but reaches tropical Southeast Asia too. It grows on grassy mountain sites, hills and riverbanks. It also grows in woods, on sunny terraces and on disturbed ground. Records range from sea level to about 11,155 feet [3,400 metres]. In eastern North America, it grows by roads and in old fields. These sites lie beyond its native range in Asia.

The Ferns says this species is easy to grow. It accepts a wide range of soils. PFAF lists it for USDA zones 4–8 and for cultivated beds. You can sow seeds straight into the site where they will grow. Its small, upright form suits plantings grown for their looks. Yet it can escape gardens and take hold beyond its native range. PFAF also warns that it may become a weed. The supplied accounts name no specific pests or diseases.

People eat the young leaves fresh or cooked. Cooks chop them for salads or cook them as greens. They also use the leaves to flavour dishes made with vegetables. Ground seeds add flavour to food too. The Ferns reports no known hazards, but does not assess pet safety. In folk medicine, people use the whole plant. They often gather it while it blooms. They steep it to make infusions or use vapour from the boiled plant. Reported uses include colds, fever, headaches and gut complaints. The plant contains an essential oil. These records describe its use as medicine. They do not prove that such treatment is safe or works.