Family: Lamiaceae
lion's-tail, motherwort
Paul Drobot
Matthew L. Wagner
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Leonurus: from the Greek leon for "lion" and oura, "a tail," hence resembling a lion's tail
Plants: erect, perennial, 18"-60" tall aromatic forb; stems square, clustered
Leaves: opposite, often drooping, stalk as long as the blade, main leaves palmately divided and coarsely toothed
Flowers: pink to white, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" long, mostly stalkless;
inflorescence small, whorled clusters from the leaf axils; blooms June-Aug.
Fruits: 1-seeded nutlet
Habitat: disturbed sites, often in rich soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
Plants: erect, perennial, 18"-60" tall aromatic forb; stems square, clustered
Leaves: opposite, often drooping, stalk as long as the blade, main leaves palmately divided and coarsely toothed
Flowers: pink to white, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" long, mostly stalkless;
inflorescence small, whorled clusters from the leaf axils; blooms June-Aug.Fruits: 1-seeded nutlet
Habitat: disturbed sites, often in rich soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
One of our commonest and weediest mints, introduced from Europe and thoroughly established along roadsides, trails, railroad tracks, fencerows, in fields, barnyards, waste areas, abandoned lots and around buildings; also in more natural settings such as on cliffs talus slopes, and bluffs, along lakeshores, in marshes, prairies, and in both mesic and wet forests under hardwoods and sometimes conifers.
The spiny calyx tips aid in dispersing the nutlets, the entire tube breaking off as a unit. First collected in 1875 and found throughout the state, but mostly absent from the northern counties.
The spiny calyx tips aid in dispersing the nutlets, the entire tube breaking off as a unit. First collected in 1875 and found throughout the state, but mostly absent from the northern counties.
WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Purple Sage - Ethnobotanical Information: Detailed usage, preparation, and other helpful information Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Matthew L. Wagner
Stephen L. Solheim
Robert W. Freckmann
Botanical Illustration
Robert Bierman
Aaron_Carlson
Botanical Illustration
Aaron_Carlson
Paul Drobot
Aaron_Carlson
