Depending upon the taxonomic authority, the genus Agastache is composed of 30 species native to North America and eastern Asia or 9 species, one in Asia and 8 in North America, or 8 species all native to North America. (Obviously, there is considerable disagreement among taxonomists.)

Mexican giant hyssop flowers in false whorls called verticillasters arranged in the leaf axils near the top of each stem. This gives the appearance of a floral spike and is typical of the mint family. Each flower is composed of a tubular calyx and a funnelform corolla. The flowers are purported to be edible and a colorful touch to a salad.

The wild type has dull, dusty-looking calyces and reddish corollas. Horticulturalists have created varieties with pink, lavender, and orange corollas. The photographed specimen has flowers with both pink and orange; it is one of the Acapulco™ Series. The flowers attract numerous pollinators, especially bees, to the garden.

The leaves are lanceolate and toothed along the edge; they appear dusty from the trichomes (plant hairs) that protect the surface from harsh sunlight and rapid drying. Although the flowers are a beautiful addition to a butterfly or herb garden, the leaves make this 'mint' special. The leaves are fragrant and release a clean citrusy-spicy aroma at the slightest touch.

(Compiled from: "Agastache", Hortus Third, Staff L.H. Bailey Hortorium, NY State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Macmillan, NY, 1976; "Agastache", A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, C. Brickell and J.D. Zuk, eds. American Horticultural Society, DK Publishing, NY, 1996; Acapulco™ Series is a registered trademark of Proven Winners, LLC.)