Motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca

This member of the mint family has the square stem but lacks any minty aroma. Small pink or lavendar flowers appear in clusters in the axils of leaves along the central stem, forming a series of puffs.  These clusters are often somewhat spiny, particularly after the blooming season; the spikes with their series of round seed pockets dry out and remain standing often through the winter (see below left).  Leaves are about 3 inches across and have 3 pointed lobes, which sometimes have irregular small teeth.

2-4 feet, sun - partial sun.

Summer (June-August).

  Pink flowers appear in the leaf axils along the stems.

13 June 2020.

Motherwort, 14 June 2020.

The dried-out stems nine months after blooming; the round seed clusters are quite spiny to the touch.

8 March 2021.