Beefsteak Plant, Beefsteak Mint, Perilla Mint - Perilla frutescens
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Perilla frutescens - Beefsteak Plant, Beefsteak Mint, Perilla Mint. Perilla frutescens is a monotypic species native to Asia, which has been used as an ornamental and is naturalized in most of the eastern United States. In the west, it is found in the wild in one county in Washington state.
There are reports that this plant is becoming an increasing problem in the eastern seaboard - see Invasive Notes of September 17, 2013 by John Thompson.
Found in:
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WV | 
Distribution of Perilla frutescens in the United States and Canada:
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
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| | Site: Grundy County, TN Date: 2011-September-17 | Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro | | The inflorescences of Perilla frutescens are both axillary and terminal racemes that are up to about 6" long. They have several to many small flowers which open in the summer to early fall. | | 
| | Site: Grundy County, TN Date: 2011-September-17 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | Beefsteak Plant can grow to 6 feet tall, although it is more ordinarily under 3 feet in height. The opposite leaves are on fairly long petioles and are toothed. They are ovate to nearly circular. They may be green - especially when growing in shaded areas - to a dark burgundy when growing in the sun. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Grundy County, TN Date: 2011-September-17 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The flowers are pink or a pale purple. They have a hairy corolla throat, and extend just a bit beyond the hairy calyx. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Grundy County, TN Date: 2011-September-17 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The angled stems are usually burgundy although they may be green. They are hairy. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
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References used for identification and information:
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