Lycopus americanus - American Water Horehound

Sizes available: HPP quart

Basics: zones 3-9, 18-24" tall and spreads by rhizome, full sun to part sun, whorls of tiny white flowers that bloom at each leaf axil around the square stem in mid to late summer, wet to medium wet, not picky as to soil.

Common names: American Water Horehound, American Bugleweed, Cut-leaved Water Horehound

Family: Lamiaceae

Origin/Distribution: Very common, occurs in all lower 48 except Nevada. Native to Maine.

Habitat: Occurs in open wetland, soggy meadow, marsh, shoreline, drainage ditch, flood plain, wet thicket. This is an obligate wetland species. 

More: Has been used medicinally. This is an attractive leafy presence in a damp to wet environment. It will spread by rhizome to form a nice colony which is good for holding a muddy bank. I wonder if it helps keep invasives at bay. It is one of the potential host plants for the Hermit Sphinx Moth, Lintneria eremitus, and is also a host for species of gall aphids and gall flies. It is a late-bloomer and although the flowers are petite they look quite charming tucked into the leaf axils of the plant. It is well visited by short-tongued bees, wasps, and flies. Ten species of Lycopus occur in eastern North America and it is challenging to identify them. An identifying feature of Lycopus americanus is that on a mature plant, the lower leaves suggest oak leaves in shape. 

Source: sown at Honey Petal Plants with seed from Toadshade Wildflower Farm

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons