Lycopus virginicus - Bugleweed

Family:	Labiatae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Width:	0.45
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - New York and Wisconsin south to Georgia and Texas.

Lycopus virginicus (Bugleweed) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m and a width of 0.45m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Bugleweed will flower in January to March. 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 damp shady ground in rich moist soils[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• A bog garden plant

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].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Root - cooked[46, 61].

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

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
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].

• Antidandruff - Treats dandruff.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Cardiac - Used in the treatment of heart problems.
• Hypoglycaemic - Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
• Narcotic - Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.
• 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

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

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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