Yellow Giant Hyssop

Agastache nepetoides

ah-gas-TAH-kee  ned-et-OY-deez

Synonyms of Agastache nepetoides (4) (Updated on 12-19-23 from Plants of the World Online): Hyssopus nepetoides L., Lophanthus nepetoides (L.) Benth., Nepeta altissima Schrank, Vleckia nepetoides (L.) Raf. 

Agastache nepetoides (L.) Kuntze is the accepted scientific name for the Yellow Giant Hyssop. It was named and described as such by Karl Ernst Otto Kuntze in Revisio Generum Plantarum in 1891. It was first named and described as Hyssopus nepetoides by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

The genus, Agastache Clayton ex Gronov., was described by Johan Frederik (Jan Fredrik) Gronovius in the second edition of Flora Virginica in 1762. The genus was first named and described by William Derek Clayton and Mr. Gronovius gave him the credit in his validly published description.

As of 12-19-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 22 species in the Agastache genus. It is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae with 232 genera. Those numbers could change periodically as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Agastache nepetoides is from the USDA Plants Database. The map on Plants of the World Online is a little different. 

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

I had been seeing this tall plant along the fence next to a creek in a friend’s woods while observing wildflowers. I went several times and decided I would go ahead and see if I could make an identification. Normally, I prefer more shade or a cloudy sky for good photos but that wasn’t going to happen on May 10. The sky was clear and sunlight was peering through the trees and the plants stems nearly glowed.

After taking several photos of this plant and several others, I went home, checked the photos, and uploaded them on iNaturalist for a positive ID. It’s a great way especially when there are no flowers to go by. As it turns out this plant is an Agastache nepetoides commonly known as the Yellow Giant Hyssop.

Agastache nepetoides is a strong-stemmed perennial plant that multiplies from the base and from seed. Plants can grow to about 7 feet in height…

Depending on what site visit, its leaves are described as crenate-serrate to serrate, subcordate, lanceolate-ovate, and cordate-ovate. In layman’s terms, the leaves are somewhat heart-shaped with a rounded base and taper to a point. The margins are heavily serrated with rounded teeth (crenate-serrate). Leaves can grow to 6″ long x 3″ wide, the upper leaves and the leaves on branches somewhat smaller. The leaves have 2″ or so long stems (petioles). I didn’t smell the leaves (yet) but they are supposed to have a similar scent as catnip.

The strong stems are hollow, square, strongly 4-angled, and somewhat winged. Two opposite sides of the stems are somewhat concave which alternate at each node.

If you take a good look you can see hairs growing from the nodes…

The leaf undersides are somewhat paler than the upper surface due to fine hairs.

While the stems are pretty much hairless except for maybe toward the top, the leaf stems (petioles) are hairy (pubescent).

Plants branch out at the upper half of the leaf axils (at the nodes).

I just think the stems are neat…

 

 

Agastache nepetoides flowers from July through September so I haven’t taken any photos of them yet. I can write descriptions of the flowers better once I have physically seen them. Plants flower at the end of their main stem and branches,  giving the whole upper part of the plant the appearance of a candelabra. The greenish-yellow flowers are tightly packed on 2-8″ spikes and only open a few at a time. My thanks to Adrian Sydor, a fellow member of iNaturalist, for allowing me to use a few of his photos until I can take my own.

Plants, being perennial, come up from the base in the spring and also from seed. When seedlings reach 3-4 feet tall in mid-summer they will also flower.

A few websites mention it smelling like catnip and that the Iroquois Indians used an infusion made from Agastache nepetoides as a wash for poison ivy and itch.

I was planning on visiting the site where I saw this plant when it was supposed to flower but I didn’t get around to it. Maybe in 2021.

I live on a small farm in Windsor, Missouri where I enjoy gardening, collecting plants, and identifying wildflowers. The farm is in Pettis County but Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away. I have grown over 500 different plants and most have pages listed on the right side of the blog. I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. iNaturalist has been a great help. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
GO BOTANY
MARYLAND BIODIVERSITY PROJECT
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
NEWS FROM ROCKCLIFF FARM
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN

NOTE: The figures may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates at least once a year and when I write new pages but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂