Plant DetailShow Menu

Whorled Horsebalm Collinsonia verticillata

Previously known as:

  • Hypogon verticillata
  • Micheliella verticillata
Phonetic Spelling
kol-in-SOH-nee-uh ver-ti-si-LAH-tuh
Description

Deepwoods Horsebalm is a native wildflower in the mint family found from Ohio east to VA and south to FL. In NC it is found in the mountains in rich forests ranging from moist (cove) forests to rather dry oak forests over mafic or calcareous rocks. 

Grow as a woodland plant in rich soils in partial shade.

This wildflower is the host plant for both the Owlet (Noctuidae) and the White-fringed Pyrausta (Pyrausta niveicilialis) moths as well as the Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus) butterfly.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennial#bumblebee friendly#NC native#native wildflower#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#mammals#food source roots#Audubon#butterfly caterpillar host#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennial#bumblebee friendly#NC native#native wildflower#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#mammals#food source roots#Audubon#butterfly caterpillar host#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Collinsonia
    Species:
    verticillata
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Ohio to SE. U.S.A
    Distribution:
    AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, OH, SC, TN, VA
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts birds, bumblebees, and moths.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is a nutlet and displays from June to July.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Lavender to whitish-pink flowers bloom from April to June. The flowers are in groups of 3 to 6 at each node in the inflorescence. They have 4 stamens on long filaments and are covered with glandular hairs. The lower lip of the corolla is fringed.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Large green leaves with toothed margins. The top 2 pairs of leaves are close together giving it a whorled look. They are often the only leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds