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Lycopus virginicus - L.

Common Name Bugleweed, Virginia water horehound
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Known to cause the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Avoid in patients with thyroid disease or given concomitantly with thyroid therapy. Avoid during pregnancy [301].
Habitats Low damp shady ground in rich moist soils[43].
Range Eastern N. America - New York and Wisconsin south to Georgia and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Lycopus virginicus Bugleweed, Virginia water horehound


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Lycopus virginicus Bugleweed, Virginia water horehound
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lycopus virginicus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to September. 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. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Euhemus officinalis. Euhemus sylvaticus. Lycopus macrophyllus

Plant Habitats

 Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[46, 61].

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.
Antianxiety  Antidandruff  Astringent  Cardiac  Hypoglycaemic  Narcotic  Sedative

Bugleweed has sedative properties and is used in modern herbalism principally to treat an overactive thyroid gland and the racing heartbeat that often accompanies this condition[254]. The whole plant is used as an astringent, hypoglycaemic, mild narcotic and mild sedative[4, 102, 222, 238]. It also slows and strengthens heart contractions[238]. The plant has been shown to be of value in the treatment of hyperthyroidism[222, 238], it is also used in the treatment of coughs, bleeding from the lungs and consumption, excessive menstruation etc[4, 238]. It 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]. The root has been chewed, a portion swallowed and the rest applied externally in the treatment of snakebites[257]. 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

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Tolerates most soil types so long as they are wet. Succeeds in full sun or in partial shade[238], 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:

Fahrenheit:

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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).

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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

Sweet Bugle, Water Bugle, Virginia Water Horehound, Gypsywort

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas)

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
Lycopus americanusWater Horehound, American water horehoundPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNMWe131
Lycopus amplectensClasping water horehoundPerennial1.2 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Lycopus asperRough BugleweedPerennial0.6 -  LMHSNMWe11 
Lycopus europaeusGypsywortPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNMWeWa132
Lycopus lucidusBugleweed, Rough bugleweedPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHSNMWe12 
Lycopus maackianus Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNMWe10 
Lycopus uniflorusBugleweed, Northern bugleweedPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHSNMWe31 

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

L.

Botanical References

43200235

Links / References

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

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Subject : Lycopus virginicus  
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