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Bruso, George H.

Veronicastrum virginicum

Veronicastrum virginicum (L.) Farw.

Culver's Root

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s): Leptandra virginica, Veronica virginica

USDA Symbol: VEVI4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The unbranched stems of Culver�s Root grow 2-6 ft. tall and are topped by several spikes of densely-clustered, tiny, white to pinkish, tubular flowers. The total effect is candelabra-like. Narrowly oval, dark-green leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem.

The genus name, a combination of Veronica and the suffix astrum ("false"), describes this plant's resemblance to the Veronicas. It is the only species in the genus. It can be grown easily in wildflower gardens. The root contains a powerful emetic and cathartic. The common name was to honour Dr. Culver who prescribed the plant as an effective laxative.

From the Image Gallery

23 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: White or pinkish.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: MB , ON
Native Distribution: VT to Ont., s. to GA, LA & OK
Native Habitat: Moist prairies; woods; stream banks

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Very adaptable in the garden; try it at the woodland edge.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Butterflies, Bees
Use Medicinal: The root contains a powerful emetic and cathartic. (Niering)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Most easily propagated by root divisions in late fall or early spring. Each rootstock segment must have a bud. Sow seeds in fall or provide cold stratification. Also propagated by "softwood" cuttings taken in late spring.
Seed Collection: Seeds can be allowed to dry out before sowing.
Seed Treatment: Seeds of this species require or benefit from a three month period of cold-moist stratification. Seeds require light to germinate.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW				FACU	FAC		FAC	FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, PA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. Leyerle
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 1262 - Plants of Carolinian Canada (1994) Lamb, Larry and Gail Rhynard
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1996 VOL. 13, NO.4 - The Worth of a Native Plant, Pros and Cons of Using Rare Native Plants, Educatio...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Veronicastrum virginicum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Veronicastrum virginicum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Veronicastrum virginicum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-03-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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