Water Horehound, American Water Horehound, American Bugleweed Lycopus americanus Mint Family (Lamiaceae)

​The Bloom Blog
Blooming this week in the environs of Abiquiú
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By Wildflowers of the Southern Rocky Mountains

Found in wet areas near slow-moving water
Seen blooming in August by the Rio Chama

Water Horehound is not a particularly showy plant. It grows up to three feet tall with the characteristic square stem of a mint, but it does not have aromatic leaves. It grows in similar habitat to Wild Mint which has lavender flowers and a distinctive aroma. The leaves are opposite and toothed. The tiny white tubular flowers with lavender markings grow in a whorl around the stem at the base of the leaves. Each flower has two stamens. Traditionally, a compound containing the entire plant was used for stomach cramps. Source. In modern times people use bugleweed for overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), insomnia, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Source.

​If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.