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Romfh, Peggy

Teucrium canadense

Teucrium canadense L.

American Germander, Canada Germander, Canadian Germander, Germander, Hairy Germander, Wood Sage

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: teca3

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

A rhizomatous perennial with a terminal, spike-like cluster of lavender-pink flowers on a downy square stem.

The most distinctive feature of the 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.

From the Image Gallery

30 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Leaf: White-Gray
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

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 , WY
Canada: 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, Savannas

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light 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, Border
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0406 Collected Jun 13, 1993 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
NPSOT 0537 Collected Aug 3, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
NPSOT 0165 Collected May 28, 1991 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps

3 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 1294 - 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

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-28
Research By: LAL, JMS

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