Freshwater Wetlands/ Sessile-leaved Water Horehound

COMMON NAME: Sessile-Leaved Water Horehound

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lycopus amplectens

FAMILY: Laminaceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetlands

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: Up to 3 ˝ feet

FLOWERING TIME: August to October

FRUITING TIME: September to October

DISTRIBUTION: Massachusetts to Florida ~ Throughout the coastal plain in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves oblong to lance shaped with 4 to 6 teeth on each side, convexly narrower from the lowest tooth to the sessile (without stalk) base

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family of plants (Lamiaceae), commonly called the mint family, has 221 genera and 5.600 species of herbs, shrubs and a few trees.  It is a preeminent family of culinary and medical herbs including lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, balm, marjoram, savory and basil. The genus Lycopus means “wolf foot” from lukos (wolf) and pous (foot). The common name Sessile-Leaved Water-Horehound is for the attachment of the leave directly to the base without a stalk. Sessile-Leaved Water-Horehound is edible and the tubers can be added to salad, boiled and served with butter or pickled. In the 19th century Anglo-American medical people used another plant in this genus (Lycopus virginicus commonly known as Bugleweed) as an astringent and to calm the nerves.  It was given for coughs, internal bleeding and urinary incontinence.  This species also has sedative properties and was used to treat racing heartbeat and overactive thyroid.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.