Agastache urticifolia is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name nettleleaf giant hyssop[1] or horse mint.[2]

Distribution

It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Colorado, where it grows in many habitat types. This is an aromatic perennial herb growing an erect stem with widely spaced leaves, each lance-shaped to nearly triangular and toothed.

Closeup of Agastache urticifolia flowerhead

Description

The leaves are up to 8 centimeters long and 7 wide. The inflorescence is a dense spike of many flowers. Each flower has long sepals tipped with bright purple and tubular corollas in shades of pink and purple. The fruit is a light brown, fuzzy nutlet about 2 millimeters long.

Uses

The dried leaves and flowers can be made into tea. It has been used medicinally to treat rheumatism, upset stomachs, and colds.[3]

The plant was used medicinally by several Native American groups, especially the leaves.

References

  1. ^ "Plants Profile for Agastache urticifolia (nettleleaf giant hyssop)". PLANTS Web Development Team. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Calflora: Agastache urticifolia". Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  3. ^ Fagan, Damian (2019). Wildflowers of Oregon: A Field Guide to Over 400 Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs of the Coast, Cascades, and High Desert. Guilford, CT: FalconGuides. p. 202. ISBN 978-1-4930-3633-2. OCLC 1073035766.

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