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Collinsonia canadensis

Phonetic Spelling
kol-in-SOH-nee-uh kan-na-DEN-sis
Description

Richweed is a perennial wildflower in the mint family native to Quebec south to Florida. It is widely spread east of the Mississippi River and is found in cove forests, rich forests, especially over calcareous or mafic substrates. In NC it is found in the Piedmont and mountains.

It can grow up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide and spreads by rhizomes. The flowers bloom on terminal spikes, are tubular and yellow with a lemony scent. The leaves can be used to make tea and are also fragrant.

Richweed prefers partial shade in well-drained slightly acidic mesic soils that contain some humus and loam. It will grow well under deciduous trees. It is best used in the naturalized and woodland settings and is a great nectar source for bees.  It is a host plant for the larvae of the Stoneroot borer (Papaipema astuta) moth.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#moth caterpillar host#fragrant leaves#native perennial#shade garden#bumblebee friendly#NC native#native wildflower#naturalized area#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#mammals#food source roots#Audubon#weed#moth friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#moth caterpillar host#fragrant leaves#native perennial#shade garden#bumblebee friendly#NC native#native wildflower#naturalized area#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#mammals#food source roots#Audubon#weed#moth friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Collinsonia
    Species:
    canadensis
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The roots have been used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada, north, central, and eastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    East of the Mississippi
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts birds, moths, and bumblebees.
    Edibility:
    Tea can be made from the leaves.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are small nutlets that develop within enlarged calyces from September to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant yellow tubular 2-lipped flowers on branched terminal spikes bloom from July to September. The lower lip of each flower is fringed and extends beyond the upper lip. They have a lemony or citronella fragrance.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    4-8 inches long and 1.5-4 inches wide oval toothed leaves are opposite along the entire stem. Undersides are paler.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stem is light green, bluntly 4-angled with shallow channels along its sides. It is hairless to a few hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Garden for the Blind
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade
    Problems:
    Weedy