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Whorls of pale pink flowers and contrasting greyish foliage
Home Plants Leonurus cardiaca
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Leonurus cardiaca

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Leonurus cardiacus is in full flower on the Lamiaceae beds on Systematics.

Leonurus cardiacus is a native of temperate Asia and Europe, though has naturalised in other areas, including Canada and North America where it grows on roadside verges, forest margins and disturbed wastelands. It is a herbaceous perennial growing to 1.5m in height, and displays the angular, square stems, and opposite leaves typical of the mint family (Lamiaceae) to which it belongs. Whorls of pale pink, tubular, two-lipped flowers are borne in the leaf axils, and the leaves are hairy and lobed. This species has long been used in the treatment of female conditions, hence the common name motherwort. It has  also been used as a heart stimulant, and this has given rise to the specific name cardiacus. The leaves and stems are used to produce a dye, and the flowers used to make tea. The flowers are also a valuable nectar-source for bees, with honey made from the nectar of this species reputedly having a mint flavour.

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