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Cook, Kathleen Graves
Teucrium canadense L.
Canada germander, American germander, Canadian germander, Germander, Hairy germander, Wood sage
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
USDA Symbol: teca3
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A rhizomatous perennial with a terminal, spike-like cluster of lavender-pink flowers on a downy square stem.
The most distinctive feature of Teucrium species is the seemingly 1-lipped corolla. The common name germander was originally altered from a Greek name for ground oak, chamaidrys. Two smaller, bushier species have been introduced from Europe into eastern North America: Woodland Germander (T. scorodonia), with yellow flowers, and Cutleaf Germander (T. botrys), an annual with purplish flowers.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf: White-Gray
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Saskatchewan east to Newfoundland, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to North Dakota; also in all western states and British Columbia.
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Sandy Sandy Loam Clay Loam Clay, Medium Loam Caliche type, Limestone-based Gypseous
Conditions Comments: The dense flower spikes can be quite a show, especially when a good sized clump is planted. Plants spread on their own over time by rhizomes and may become aggressive if not kept in check periodically. Prefers moist or shallow, submerged soils. Nice cut flower.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Perennial garden, Forms a carpet, Ground cover, BorderConspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal
From the National Suppliers Directory
According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0406 Collected Jun 13, 1993 in Comal County by Mary Beth WhiteNPSOT 0537 Collected Aug 3, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
NPSOT 0165 Collected May 28, 1991 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps
Bibliography
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. WasowskiBibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Teucrium canadense in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Teucrium canadense in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Teucrium canadense
Metadata
Record Modified: 2012-10-03Research By: LAL, JMS
