Translate this page:

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lycopus asper is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). 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

L. lucidus americana.

Plant Habitats

Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

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

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.

More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. This species is often confused with L. lucidus[60]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Tolerates most soil types so long as they are wet. Succeeds in damp meadows or in wet places by ponds or streams[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

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

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 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 europaeus	Gypsywort	Perennial	1.0	4-8	LMH	SN	MWeWa	1	3	2
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.

Expert comment

Author

Greene.

Botanical References

4360235

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Steve Dupey	Thu Dec 1 2005

Native here in the interior pacific northwest USA.. steam and marsh edges. Very few references to its use .. but the native americans used it..(crow potatoes). My experiments indicate it may have great potential as a cultivated plant. Wild collected tubers in late winter early spring...(when starch to sugar conversion has presumably reached its peak) are excellant, with a good nutty taste. Id rate them well over chinese artichokes in flavor and size and potential yield. Not sure if fall harvested ones have developed flavor yet though. Also having trouble getting cultivated plants to fully mature the tubers.. though an indivual plant can grow hundreds in one season. Still working out the cultivation. Probably should be container grown... invasive in garden. Fertilization regime for tuber production and size needs to yet be worked out. Grows aquatically or in moist soil. Tubers are elongated.. and corrugated, a couple centimeters in diameter and up to ten or more in length... though this is variable.

Lycopus asper - Greene.