Alpine calamint (Clinopodium alpinum, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 515 (1891))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: (L.) Kuntze

Bibliography: Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 515 (1891)

Year: 1891

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Clinopodium

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. Europe to Medit.

Description

Alpine calamint, scientifically known as Clinopodium alpinum, is a member of the Lamiaceae family. This herbaceous perennial is predominantly found across Central Europe extending to the Mediterranean region.

Noted for its hardy nature, Alpine calamint thrives in rocky and mountainous terrains, often providing a splash of delicate beauty to rugged landscapes. The plant typically features small, aromatic leaves and tubular flowers that range in color from pale pink to purplish hues, attracting a variety of pollinators including bees and butterflies.

First described in the comprehensive botanical reference “Revisio Generum Plantarum” in 1891 by Kuntze, Alpine calamint has since been recognized for both its ecological and ornamental value. Gardeners and landscapers often seek out this plant for its resilience and its ability to add a touch of wild elegance to gardens, particularly those designed with naturalistic or alpine themes.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Alpine calamint has historical significance in traditional medicine, where parts of the plant were utilized for their purported therapeutic properties. The leaves, in particular, have been used in infusions and teas thought to aid digestion and alleviate respiratory ailments.

With its charming blossoms and robust character, Clinopodium alpinum exemplifies the enduring beauty and practicality of alpine flora, making it a treasured plant both in the wild and in cultivated settings.

Common Names

Swe: alpmynta
En: Alpine Calamint, Alpine basil thyme, Alpine calamint, Alpine rock-thyme, Alpine savory, Rock thyme
Ar: أسينوس جبلي
Bs: Konjički vričak
Zh: 岩石麝香草
Da: Alpe-Voldtimian
Nl: Alpensteentijm
Fi: Alppikäenminttu
Fr: Calament des Alpes, Sarriette des Alpes
De: Alpen-Steinquendel, Stein-Bergminze (Steinbergminze)
It: Acino alpino
Sv: Alpmynta
Nb: Alpemynte
Nn: Alpemynte

Synonyms

• Satureja alpina ((L.) Scheele)
• Melissa alpina ((L.) Benth.)
• Calamintha alpina ((L.) Lam.)
• Faucibarba alpina ((L.) Dulac)
• Ziziphora granatensis subsp. alpina ((L.) Bräuchler & Gutermann)
• Acinos alpinus ((L.) Moench)
• Ziziphora alpicola (Melnikov)
• Calamintha acinos subsp. alpina ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Ziziphora alpina ((L.) Melnikov)
• Thymus alpinus (L.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 7, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2020 by Veronica Lucy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Marina 08 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2020 by Haro Alberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2019 by that’s someguy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by ChiaRoby (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 14, 2021 by riesmeier cliff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2020 by Pascal Roche (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2019 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2022 by Laurent (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by iBushcrafter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Susanne L. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 1, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2020 by Maurizio Guzzinati (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2019 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 22, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2021 by Michel SIGART (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by iBushcrafter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2004 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 18, 2019 by MICHEL DUSSERE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2019 by MICHEL DUSSERE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2019 by Halbe Rudolf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2020 by bobskwal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2020 by Johanna Blume (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7307319)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:445714-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Clinopodium alpinum (L.) Kuntze)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acinos alpinus Moench.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7308311)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 9.0

Ph minimum: 8.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 2