Lycopus asper
Greene.
Rough Bugleweed
(c) Dan Mullen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND)
(c) Brian Miller, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Brian Miller
What to Eat
Edible parts: Root
Root - boiled or dried for later use[46, 61, 105, 161, 257].
Where to Find It
N. America - Michigan to Kansas, west to Manitoba, British Columbia, California and Arizona.
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia (south)), United States (Alaska, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah)
How to Identify
Lycopus asper is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). 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 and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
How to Grow
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 is often confused with L. lucidus. 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.
Propagation: 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.
Medicinal Uses
LaxativeA decoction of the plant has been given to children as a laxative.
