Minnesota Wildflowers


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Lycopus americanus (American Water Horehound)

Plant Info
Also known as: American Bugleweed
Genus:Lycopus
Family:Lamiaceae (Mint)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; moist soil, along shores
Bloom season:July - September
Plant height:6 to 30 inches
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: irregular tubular whorled

[photo of flowers] A small dense cluster of 1/8-inch white flowers surrounds each leaf axis; usually not all are open at the same time. Individual flowers are tubular; the upper lip is notched into 2 parts, the lower lip has 3 lobes. There are often tiny pinkish purple spots on the inside of the petals.

Leaves and stem: opposite lobed

[photo of leaves] The lower leaves are deeply lobed, up to 3½ inches long and 1½ inches wide. They are progressively smaller as they go up the stem and become coarsely toothed but unlobed at the top of the plant. The stem is square and slightly rough from scattered short hairs.

Notes:

American Water Horehound, Wild Mint and Northern Bugleweed are all similar, with clusters of tubular flowers around the leaf axils, growing in the same type of habitat at the same time. American Water Horehound is most easily distinguished by its deeply lobed lower leaves; Northern Bugleweed by its hairless stem and coarsely toothed but unlobed leaves; Wild Mint by its hairy stem and leaves, serrated leaf edges, and usually pinkish flowers.

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Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, July 2007

Comments

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