Horsebalm Collinsonia canadensis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kol-in-SOH-nee-uh kan-na-DEN-sis
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are small nutlets that develop within enlarged calyces from September to October.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
