Lycopus europaeus - Gypsywort

Family:	Labiatae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, to the Mediterranean, north and central Asia.

Lycopus europaeus (Gypsywort) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Gypsywort will flower in December to March. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies

Soil Information

Gypsywort will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Gypsywort prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Gypsywort can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

By rivers, streams and ditches, also in marshes and fens[9, 17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Root - raw or cooked. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[179].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
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].

• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Miscellany - Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

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].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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