MOTHERWORT

MOTHERWORT

Leonurus cardiaca
MINT FAMILY (Lamiaceae)

Identification

  • Flowering time - May to August
  • Common in disturbed areas at FF & NW
  • Opposite 3-lobed leaves
  • Whorls of flowers in leaf axils
  • Square stems
Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

This naturalized perennial, 2-5 feet tall, was introduced from Europe. The tubular, two-lipped flowers are clustered around the axils of opposite leaves on a square stem (B). The distinctive leaves have 3-5 toothed lobes which attach to the stem on long stalks, each at right angles from the next pair on the stem (A,B). The white to pinkish upper lip of the flower is covered with fuzzy white hairs. The lower lip is divided into 3 lobes and has a number of purple dots in its throat (C). The flower is partially enclosed in a green calyx with sharp spines (C) which turn brown as the plant matures (D).  It lacks the odor of characteristic of many of the mints.

Found in disturbed areas including woodlands, woodland borders and thickets, flowering from May through August. Common at both Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.

Herbalists have used this plant not only as a stimulant for the heart, as the species name cardiaca implies, but also for menstrual disorders.

The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.