Germander (Teucrium canadense): pink Minnesota wildflowers

Germander

Plant Info
Also known as:	Canada Germander, American Germander, Wood Sage
Scientific name:	Teucrium canadense
Family:	Mint (Lamiaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun or shade; moist thickets, ditches, along streams
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	1 to 4 feet
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Rice Creek Trail Corridor Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Flower:: 3 to 6 inch spike cluster of ¾-inch irregular pink or lavender flowers. The lower lip of the flower is wide and has purple spots near the base.
The upper lip is shorter and divided; there are 3 or 4 stamen arcing over its center.
Leaves:: Leaves are up to 5 inches long and 2 inches wide, have serrated edges, and are softly hairy. They are usually rounded at the base and taper to a point at the tip. The leaf stem is short near the base of the plant and progressively gets smaller towards the top of the plant. It is common for smaller side stems to arise from the leaf axils in the upper part of the plant. Like all members of the Mint family, attachment is opposite and the stem is square.
Notes:: Germander can be easily confused with Hedge Nettle, another member of the Mint family. The flower shape is different, with Germander having a split upper lip and the stamen arcing over it.