American Germander

• Teucrium candadense is a native North American perennial: This flowering herb thrives in moist environments like meadows, marshes, and along streams. It readily pops up across the contiguous United States and much of Canada.

• Distinctive features: Look for a robust plant standing up to 3 feet tall with a squarish stem and opposite leaves. The leaves are ovate or lanceolate, deeply veined and coarsely toothed, reaching up to 5 inches long. The most striking characteristic is the terminal inflorescence, a spike-like cluster of lavender-pink flowers borne at the stem tip.

• Blooming beauty: American germander graces gardens with its showy blossoms from late June to September, attracting a variety of pollinators, especially long-tongued bees like bumblebees and honeybees.

• Adaptable and resilient: This plant thrives in full sun or part shade, tolerates a range of soil types, and even withstands brief periods of flooding. Its fibrous root system and rhizomes help it anchor in soggy soils and spread over time, forming attractive clumps.

• A word of caution: While American germander offers ornamental and ecological value, note that it can become mildly invasive in ideal conditions due to its spreading habit. Consider dividing established clumps regularly to maintain control.

• Historical and medicinal uses: Native Americans traditionally used American germander for various medicinal purposes. However, be aware that it can cause liver damage, so internal consumption is not recommended. In the past, it was also used in teas and capsules for weight control and lowering cholesterol, but these practices have been discontinued due to safety concerns.

Overall, American germander is a versatile and rewarding plant for any garden, especially those seeking native North American species and attracting pollinators. Just remember its potential for spreading and avoid internal consumption unless under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.

United States:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
In fact, American germander is considered native to every single contiguous state in the US! It thrives in a diverse range of habitats, including meadows, marshes, prairies, and along streams, adding a touch of lavender-pink beauty to various ecosystems.

Note that while American germander is native to this extensive range, its exact abundance and population distribution can vary significantly within each state. Some areas might have denser populations due to ideal habitat conditions, while others might have smaller pockets.