Lycopus uniflorus - Bugleweed

Family:	Labiatae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Synonyms:	L. virginicus. L.?
Range:	N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia, North Carolina, Nebraska and Oregon

Lycopus uniflorus (Bugleweed) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies

Soil Information

Bugleweed 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
Bugleweed prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Bugleweed can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Low, wet or boggy ground in the north of its range, wet woodland in the south[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• A bog garden plant

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 might be no more than a synonym for L. virginicus, a species known to be hardy in Britain. 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].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Root - raw or cooked[55, 61, 62, 105, 161]. The roots were a staple food for some native North American Indian tribes[257]. The crisp white tubers can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in soups etc[183]. When boiled for a short time they are said to make an agreeable vegetable, somewhat like Chinese artichokes (Stachys affinis)[183].

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

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The whole plant is antitussive and sedative[61].

• Antitussive - Prevents or relieves coughing.
• 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

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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