Northern Bugleweed (Lycopus uniflorus): white Minnesota wildflowers

Northern Bugleweed

Plant Info
Also known as:
Scientific name:	Lycopus uniflorus
Family:	Mint (Lamiaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun to part shade; moist soil, along shores
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	6 to 30 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Flower:: 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 purple spots on the inside of the petals.
Leaves and stem:: Leaves are up to 3 inches long and 1 inch wide, generally oval or egg-shaped tapering to a point at both ends. The leaf edges are coarsely toothed. There is almost no leaf stem; attachment is opposite. The leaves and square main stem are both hairless.
Notes:: Northern Bugleweed, American Water Horehound, and Wild Mint 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; Wild Mint by its hairy stem and leaves, serrated leaf edges, and usually pinkish flowers.

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

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?