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Agastache urticifolia - (Benth.)Kuntze.

Common Name Giant Hyssop, Nettleleaf giant hyssop
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist soils of open hillsides, canyons and mountain valleys, from the foothills to about 2,500 metres[212].
Range Western N. America - Montana to British Columbia, south to California and Colorado.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Agastache urticifolia Giant Hyssop, Nettleleaf giant hyssop


Agastache urticifolia Giant Hyssop, Nettleleaf giant hyssop

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Agastache urticifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. glaucifolia. Lophanthus urticifolius.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses: Tea

Leaves[160]. No further details are given, but they are most likely to be used as an aromatic flavouring in salads and cooked foods[K]. Seed - raw or cooked[105, 161, 177, 183, 212, 257]. The seed is very small and fiddly to use[K]. The dried flowers and leaves are used to make a herbal tea[183].

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.
Analgesic  Antirheumatic  Stomachic

The leaves are analgesic and antirheumatic[257]. A decoction is taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism, measles, stomach pains and colds[257]. Externally, a poultice of the mashed leaves is applied to swellings[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a warm sunny sheltered position and a well-drained soil. Succeeds in most soils. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. A plant is growing in a sunny bed at Kew Botanical gardens and appears fully hardy there[K]. This species withstands temperatures down to about -40°c when fully dormant[160]. The flowers are very attractive to bees.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 13°c[133]. 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 out in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in spring. Fairly simple, if large divisions are used it is possible to plant them straight out into their permanent positions. Basal cuttings of young shoots in spring[111]. Harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm tall and pot them up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse. They should root within 3 weeks and can be planted out in the summer or following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Agastache canaHoary Balm Of Gilead, Mosquito plantPerennial0.8 0-0  LMNDM20 
Agastache foeniculumAnise Hyssop, Blue giant hyssopPerennial0.9 4-9  LMNDM513
Agastache mexicanaMexican Giant HyssopPerennial0.8 6-10  LMNDM302
Agastache neomexicanaNew Mexico Giant Hyssop, Bill Williams Mountain giant hyssopPerennial1.2 7-10  LMNDM312
Agastache rugosaKorean MintPerennial1.0 7-10  LMNDM432

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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Expert comment

Author

(Benth.)Kuntze.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Ken Boettger   Wed Sep 27 2006

Other Uses: The plant attracts bees and butterflies and is useful in wildlife landscaping in the US.

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Subject : Agastache urticifolia  
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