blue giant hyssop, Agastache foeniculum

Blue giant hyssop is not the most eye-catching wildflower. Tiny flowers on four foot plants don't always get our attention. Too bad! If we see it, then we have a chance to smell it, or even taste it. The flavor is mostly described as like anise. I think it tends from there toward root beer. It makes an interesting tea or flavoring. Blue giant hyssop was also used as medicine to ameliorate a variety of ailments, but without much actual effect. It grows in CO, CT, DE, IA(E), IL, KY, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NY, PA, SD, WA, WI, WY, AB, BC, MB, NT, ON, QC, and SK. Beal Gardens, MSU, 7/27/11.