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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lycopus europaeus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Lycopus alboroseus. Lycopus albus. Lycopus aquaticus. Lycopus decrescens

Plant Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[179].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent Miscellany Poultice Sedative

The fresh or dried flowering herb is astringent and sedative[4]. It inhibits iodine conversion in the thyroid gland and is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and related disorders[9]. The whole plant is used as an astringent, hypoglycaemic, mild narcotic and mild sedative[4, 238]. It also slows and strengthens heart contractions[238]. The plant has been shown to be of value in the treatment of hyperthyroidism[9, 238], it is also used in the treatment of coughs, bleeding from the lungs and consumption, excessive menstruation etc[4, 238]. The leaves are applied as a poultice to cleanse foul wounds[240]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women or patients with hypothyroidism[238]. The plant is harvested as flowering begins and can be use fresh or dried, in an infusion or as a tincture[4, 238]. Current uses are predominantly for increased activity of the thyroid gland and for premenstrual syndrome symptoms such as breast pain [301]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Lycopus for nervousness and premenstrual syndrome (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye Miscellany

A black dye is obtained from the plant[4, 100]. It is said to give a permanent colour and was also used by gypsies in order to darken the skin[4].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Tolerates most soil types so long as they are wet. Grows well in shallow water. Succeeds in sun or shade.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[238]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring or autumn[238]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria (west), Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China (Hebei Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu), Japan TROPICAL ASIA: Pakistan EUROPE: Denmark, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, France, Portugal

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lycopus americanus	Water Horehound, American water horehound	Perennial	0.5	4-8	LMH	SN	MWe	1	3	1
Lycopus amplectens	Clasping water horehound	Perennial	1.2	0-0	LMH	SN	MWe	1	0
Lycopus asper	Rough Bugleweed	Perennial	0.6	-	LMH	SN	MWe	1	1
Lycopus lucidus	Bugleweed, Rough bugleweed	Perennial	1.0	0-0	LMH	SN	MWe	1	2
Lycopus maackianus		Perennial	0.6	-	LMH	SN	MWe	1	0
Lycopus uniflorus	Bugleweed, Northern bugleweed	Perennial	0.3	4-8	LMH	SN	MWe	3	1
Lycopus virginicus	Bugleweed, Virginia water horehound	Perennial	0.6	4-8	LMH	SN	MWe	2	3	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Lycopus europaeus - L.