Mock Pennyroyal: Florida’s Lesser-Known Native Herb
If you’re passionate about native Florida plants, you’ve probably encountered plenty of showy wildflowers and dramatic palms. But what about the quiet workhorses of the plant kingdom? Meet mock pennyroyal (Stachydeoma), a humble native herb that might just surprise you with its understated charm.
What Exactly Is Mock Pennyroyal?
Mock pennyroyal is a perennial forb—basically a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. Unlike shrubs or trees that develop thick, woody stems, this little herb stays soft and herbaceous throughout its life. It’s what botanists call a forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a broadleaf plant that isn’t a grass, sedge, or woody plant.
As a true Florida native, mock pennyroyal has been quietly doing its thing in the Sunshine State long before any of us showed up with our gardening gloves and good intentions.
Where You’ll Find Mock Pennyroyal
This native gem calls Florida home, though specific details about its exact range within the state remain somewhat mysterious. Like many of our lesser-known natives, mock pennyroyal tends to fly under the radar compared to its showier cousins.
Should You Plant Mock Pennyroyal?
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit frustrating for us plant nerds). Mock pennyroyal is one of those native plants that hasn’t received much attention from the gardening world. While we know it’s a legitimate Florida native with perennial staying power, specific information about its growing requirements, appearance, and garden performance is surprisingly scarce.
What we can tell you:
- It’s a true native, so it’s naturally adapted to Florida conditions
- As a perennial, it should return year after year once established
- Its forb nature means it won’t take over your garden like some aggressive woody plants might
- It likely supports native wildlife in ways we’re still discovering
The Challenge of Growing Mock Pennyroyal
If you’re itching to add this native to your garden, you’ll face the same challenge many native plant enthusiasts encounter: finding reliable growing information and plant sources. Mock pennyroyal falls into that category of natives that are scientifically documented but horticulturally under-explored.
Your best bet for growing mock pennyroyal successfully would be to:
- Connect with native plant societies and local botanists
- Observe the plant in its natural habitat if you’re lucky enough to find it
- Start with seeds from reputable native plant sources
- Provide conditions similar to other Florida native forbs
Why Mock Pennyroyal Matters
Even though we don’t have a complete picture of mock pennyroyal’s horticultural potential, there’s something valuable about these lesser-known natives. They represent the full diversity of Florida’s plant community—not just the stars of the show, but the supporting cast that keeps ecosystems functioning.
Every native plant, no matter how obscure, has evolved specific relationships with local wildlife, soil microorganisms, and climate patterns. Mock pennyroyal is no exception, even if we haven’t fully documented all its ecological connections yet.
The Bottom Line
Mock pennyroyal represents both the promise and the challenge of native plant gardening. It’s authentically Floridian, likely beneficial to local ecosystems, and probably easier to grow than many exotic alternatives. But it also reminds us how much we still have to learn about our native plant heritage.
If you’re an adventurous gardener who loves being part of the discovery process, mock pennyroyal might be worth seeking out. Just don’t expect the same level of growing guidance you’d get for more popular natives like coontie or firebush. Sometimes the best gardens are built by gardeners willing to experiment with the road less traveled.
