FNPS's Featured Plant Profiles

Longspurred Balm

  • Dicerandra cornutissima

    2025 Plant Rescue, Photo by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes, Paynes Prairie

  • Dicerandra cornutissima

    2025 Plant Rescue, Photo by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes, Paynes Prairie

  • Photo by Valerie Anderson, Pine Lily Chapter

  • Photo by Juliet Rynear, FNPS

  • Photo by Valerie Anderson, Pine Lily Chapter

Photographs belong to the photographers who allow use for FNPS purposes only.

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Longspurred Balm

Genus species:

Dicerandra cornutissima

Family:

Lamiaceae

Information

Description:

A bushy perennial forming mounds up to 18" tall, with herbaceous branches emerging from a woody base. The thin, needle-like leaves have a strong minty scent, similar to peppermint. Flowering stalks are topped with cymes sporting single or clusters of nodding, downturned flowers due to a sharp bend in the corolla tube. Corollas are bright, rosy pink, sprinkled with dark, rosy-red to burgundy freckles. The common name refers to the prominent, elongated spur on the white anthers.

Habitat:

Endemic to scrub habitat in Marion and Sumter Counties, where it occurs in sunny openings with exposed sand, although it is now considered extirpated from Sumter County. Some of the remaining Marion County populations occur on protected conservation lands, but are still threatened by fire suppression and invasive species. Fragmented populations occur in Marion County on private lands and are threatened by invasive species, development, pesticide use, and other disturbances.

Conservation

Conservation Issue:

Fire suppression, inadequate land management, development, and invasive species.

Conservation Goals:

1) Restoring the habitat of this species within the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway by invasive species removal and planting native species.

2) Collect annual demographic data of the species to inform land managers of the best management practices for this species.

3) Build relationships with land managers, providing guidance and resources for best land management practices to protect Dicerandra cornutissima on their property - including invasive plant identification and management.

4) Provide scientifically accurate education on the status and plight of Dicerandra cornutissima via social media, presentations, and field trips, including the annual Dicerandra Day.

Would you like to help save Florida endangered plants? Let us know and we will contact you when opportunities arise. This work involved being outside and potentially navigating challenging terrain. Our staff is happy to offer training and education to prepare you for your field day.

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