Bugleweed, Northern bugleweed
Lycopus uniflorus

Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

What it is like

Lycopus uniflorus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. 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.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

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

N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia, North Carolina, Nebraska and Oregon

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Root - raw or cooked. The roots were a staple food for some native North American Indian tribes. The crisp white tubers can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in soups etc. When boiled for a short time they are said to make an agreeable vegetable, somewhat like Chinese artichokes (Stachys affinis).

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The whole plant is antitussive and sedative.

Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Other

Rating:

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

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. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground. The root pattern is tuberous with swollen potato-like roots .

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. 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. 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.

Best place to grow: Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

L. virginicus. L.?