Gypsywort

Gypsywort
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Lycopus Species: L. europaeus
Binomial name
Lycopus europaeus L.

Lycopus europaeus (Gypsywort, Gipsywort, Bugleweed, European Bugleweed, Water Horehound, Ou Di Sun) is a perennial plant in the Lycopus genus, native to Europe and Asia, and naturalized in the United States.

Habitat

Gypsywort grows primarily in wetland areas. Its root is a rhizome. It is in flower from June to September, and produces seeds from August to October.

Etymology and folklore

It is reputed to have medicinal qualities^[1][2][3][4] and has been used by various peoples as an astringent, cosmetic, douche, narcotic and refrigerant. It has also been used to treat fever, hypothyreosis, sores and wounds. Several research studies have been undertaken on the properties of this plant.^[5]

The name Gypsywort comes from the belief that Gypsies were reputed to stain their skin with the juice of the plant, although Howard (1987) states that they used it to dye their linen.^[6]

Notes

External links

• United States Dept. of Agriculture Plants Database
• USDA Grin Taxonomy
• Dr. Duke's Ethnobotanical Uses
• List of articles from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
• Flora of China
• Skye Flora Plant Identification
• Plants for a Future Database of Edible and Medicinal Plants

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