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Robert Tatina. USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute |
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| USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3 |
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Summary
Rough bugleweed is a perennial wetland plant native to North America that grows in moist meadows, marshes, and along streams. Unlike American bugleweed, this species develops tuberous, thickened rhizomes that were traditionally used as food by Native Americans. We note that the rhizomes are considerably better than those of American bugleweed and are reported to have a pleasant flavor.
Physical Characteristics
Lycopus asper is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Phytosalpinx aspera (Greene) Lunell. Heterotypic Synonyms: Lycopus maritimus Greene. Lycopus obtusifolius Benth.
Plant Habitats
Bog Garden;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:
Rough bugleweed is one of the more useful members of the Lycopus genus because of its enlarged, edible rhizomes. Although never an abundant staple food, its pleasant-tasting underground storage organs made it a worthwhile seasonal resource in wetland habitats. Compared with American bugleweed, it offers a significant improvement in both texture and food value, making it the better choice wherever the two species occur together [2-3]. The tuberous rhizomes are edible. They are considered superior to American bugleweed because they develop swollen, potato-like storage organs rather than woody, branch-like rhizomes. The leaves and stems are not reported to be edible [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 3 out of 5 – A worthwhile edible wetland plant with pleasant-tasting rhizomes, although of only local importance [2-3]. Taste and Preparation: Unlike American bugleweed, rough bugleweed produces rhizomes with tuberous thickened sections that are reported to have a pleasant flavor. Native Americans most commonly used these underground storage organs. The tuberous rhizomes are considered much more desirable than the woody rhizomes of American bugleweed. You can clean them thoroughly and boil them before eating, using their stored starches. As with other underground plant parts, harvesting is generally easiest while the above-ground stems are present for identification [2-3]. Seasonality: Rough bugleweed flowers from July to September. Rhizomes may be collected whenever the plant can be positively identified, although they generally contain the greatest food reserves before new spring growth begins or after the growing season ends. Traditional Uses: Among the bugleweeds, Native Americans used rough bugleweed and northern bugleweed as the principal species because of their tuberous rhizomes. These swollen underground storage organs provided a much more useful food source than the woody rhizomes of American bugleweed [2-3]. Safety: Rough bugleweed is generally regarded as safe when correctly identified. Wash rhizomes collected from wetlands thoroughly before cooking to remove mud and other contaminants. Root - boiled or dried for later use[46, 61, 105, 161, 257].
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.
Laxative
A decoction of the plant has been given to children as a laxative[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
Other Uses
Suitable for wetland gardens, pond margins, and naturalistic plantings. It is generally cultivated for habitat restoration and native plantings. The flowers provide nectar for bees and other pollinating insects, while dense patches help stabilise wet soils and provide shelter for small wetland wildlife.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Growing Conditions: Rough bugleweed thrives in permanently moist or wet soils in full sun or partial shade. It is commonly found in marshes, wet meadows, stream margins, and other seasonally or permanently wet habitats. Habitat: This species grows in moist meadows, marshes, stream margins, and other wetlands throughout much of the northern United States, with scattered populations extending into the Southwest. USDA Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3–9. Growth Rate: Moderate. Plants spread gradually by creeping rhizomes and can form expanding colonies in suitable wet habitats. Mature Size: Plants typically grow 20–80 cm (8–32 inches) tall. Cultivation: Rough bugleweed grows best in consistently moist soils and suits wetland gardens, pond margins, and naturalistic plantings. It is generally cultivated for habitat restoration and native plantings rather than as a food crop. Identification: Rough bugleweed is an upright perennial arising from tuberous-thickened rhizomes. It has opposite, lance-shaped leaves with serrated margins, distinguishing it from American bugleweed, whose leaves are deeply pinnately incised. It produces small white flowers in dense axillary clusters from July to September. The flowers appear almost regular rather than distinctly two-lipped and bear two exserted fertile stamens. The cup-shaped nutlets have corky margins. Similar Species: Rough bugleweed closely resembles American bugleweed (Lycopus americanus) and northern bugleweed (Lycopus uniflorus). It differs from American bugleweed by its tuberous rhizomes and serrated leaves rather than deeply incised leaves. Northern bugleweed also develops edible tuberous rhizomes and was widely used as a traditional food. Other wetland mints may appear similar but differ in flower structure and fruit characteristics.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
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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
Rough bugleweed
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia (south)), United States (Alaska, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah)
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 it's worth checking.
Low. Rough bugleweed is a native wetland species and is not considered invasive.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Lycopus asper was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2015. Lycopus asper is listed as Least Concern.
IUCN Red List
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.
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Author
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Botanical References
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