Florida (or wild or false) Pennyroyal (Piloblephis rigida) is a native plant in the mint family that grows in Split Oak Forest. It grows into pretty obvious mounds and usually flowers in the spring. It can be used to make a delicious tea or mixed drink. You'll find it throughout peninsular Florida in the dryer upland plant communities while hiking, as well as in native plant enthusiasts' yards. You can find this plant for sale at native nurseries like Green Isle Gardens in Groveland and The Natives in Davenport1
Florida Pennyroyal photographed by Valerie Anderson found near Lake Two in Split Oak Forest WEA, March 3, 2018.
Florida Pennyroyal used to be a reliable nectar plant for honeybees, but is no longer. Central Florida beekeepers that I've spoken to aren't aware of it as a nectar plant2. As a member of the mint family, its flowers are easily accessible to honeybees.
I have personally observed Florida Pennyroyal twice in Split Oak Forest, once this past Saturday near Lake Two and last November I saw it without flowers in the Osceola part. iNaturalist has two other observations in Split Oak Forest. The USF Herbarium has four vouchered specimens in Orange and Osceola counties, the earliest from 1952, pictured below.
USF Herbarium specimen of Piloblephis rigida collected by George R. Cooley, 1952
2 Responses
The last time I recall seeing this mint was in Lake Worth, Florida, Lake Worth Road and 441, in the Ranchettes. I lived on Rodeo Drive. Across the street was all scrub land. I used to pic the flower buds. These plants grew under the shade of pine. The smell was wonderful. My neighbor used to make tea with it. This was 32 years ago. I still look for it up in the Lakeland/Kathleen area, but have not seen it. From what I understand, if there are prescribed burns in the area, neither they, nor their seeds can survive it. It does not grow in areas that are prone to fire.
When I was small growing up in south Florida, specifically Indiantown, Fl. As a child I was taught to collect a larg quantity for tea. The tinder green parts of the low growing plant was collected. Washed off & broken into small pieces , cover with water from our pitcher pump. Bring to a boil on our wood stove. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain into cup. Some of us would put honey in to sweeten. You can fix your cup how ever you like to drink any hot cup of tea. We never went to doctors, when we didn’t feel good we’d be sent to woods for Penny Royal Tea. So we’d all enjoy a cup. I never was to doctor until I was pregnant with my first born. It does cause miscarriages!!!! So if you are or think you might be pregnant? Do NOT drink or handle PennyRoyal. The butterflies & bee’s love the pretty purple blooms. Break a 5-6 inch piece off & rub it between your hands vigoursly & then smell of it. Such a wonderful smell & great memories for me. Just wish I had ask my parents to tell me all they remember about how they learned the benefits of PennyRoyal as a child.