Threadleaf giant hyssop or “root beer plant” is native to Arizona and New Mexico. I didn't crush the foliage of this plant (as I usually do with a mint family plant), so I can't confirm the accuracy of the root beer plant moniker.
Although most species in the genus Agastache are native to North America (including Mexico), at least one member of the genus is native to southeast Asia. It is a relatively rare floristic distribution pattern for there to be more species in North America than in Asia when a genus occurs on both continents, but other genera that share the pattern include Trillium and Lesquerella (see: Qian, Hong (1999). Floristic analysis of vascular plant genera of North America north of Mexico: characteristics of phytogeography. Journal of Biogeography 26 (6), 1307-1321).
Botany / Evolution resource link: Understanding Evolution. Billed as “an evolution website for teachers”, the site has broad appeal as an excellent primer for anyone wanting to an introduction to evolutionary biology.
so anyways...wouldn't you have to crush a piece of the root for fragrance, hence 'root'beer plant?
beautiful plant, great photography !
Phillip - thanks for the smile.
I can confirm that the crushed foliage smells like root beer for an instant, before the stronger, minty smells take over.
Sigh....
another feast for the eyes....
all those colours
(and textures, and patterns of lines)....
words aren't adequate.
where would I be able to buy an agastache rupestris (I live on vancouver island) have been searching for two years!