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Stone, Robert L.
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.
View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Leaf Color: White-Gray
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , AZ , AR , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , ID , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , MT , NE , NV , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY , DCCanada: 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.
Texas comments: American germander has dense flower spikes that can be quite a show, especially when a good sized clump is planted. It spreads on its own over time by rhizomes and may become aggressive if not kept in check periodically. It prefers moist or shallow, submerged soils. It also makes a 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 Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Bibliography
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. WasowskiShinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
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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: 2009-04-21Research By: LAL, JMS
