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Perennial, sometimes biennial depending on conditions, of the Lamiaceae family, native to the east and center of North America. It naturally grows in dry meadows, coastal dunes, sandy roadsides, and well-drained soils, often on poor and sunny substrates.
It forms an upright and branched clump, reaching 60 to 90 cm in height. The leaves are lanceolate, slightly toothed, medium green, aromatic — they contain thymol in notable concentration, which gave them traditional medicinal use among several Native American peoples, notably as an antiseptic.
What immediately distinguishes this species from its congeners is the ensemble formed by the floral bracts, cream-white to greenish-white, veined and sometimes tinged with pale pink, which frame pale yellow tubular flowers densely speckled with purple-violet spots. This arrangement, layered in superimposed whorls along the stem, gives the plant a quite singular appearance in the genus. In its natural habitat, flowering extends from July to September. In cultivation, it generally occurs from July to August.
It requires a very well-drained, light, even sandy soil, in full sun. It tolerates drought and dislikes heavy and wet soils in winter. Its hardiness is adequate but it sometimes behaves as a short-lived perennial; regular sowing ensures renewal.