Botanical Name: Dracocephalum parviflorum
Family: Lamiaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Genus: Dracocephalum
Species: D. parviflorum
Synonyms:
*Ruyschiana parviflora (Nutt.) House
*Dracocephalum parviflorum var. chelonicum Lunell
Common Names: Dragonhead mint or American dragonhead.
Habitat:
Dracocephalum parviflorum is native to N. America – Quebec and Ontario to Alaska, New York, Iowa, Missouri and Arizona. It grows on dry, rocky or gravelly calcareous soils, often in recent clearings.
Description:
Dracocephalum parviflorum is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL plant growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
*Flower petal color: blue to purple
Leaf type: the leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
Leaf arrangement:opposite: there are two leaves per node along the stem
Leaf blade edges: the edge of the leaf blade has teeth
Flower symmetry: there is only one way to evenly divide the flower (the flower is bilaterally symmetrical)
Number of sepals, petals or tepals :there are five petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower
Fusion of sepals and petals: the petals or the sepals are fused into a cup or tube
Stamen number :4
Fruit type (general): the fruit is dry but does not split open when ripe
It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Cultivation:
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
Succeeds in a sunny position in a fertile well-drained soil. The plant is very fragrant. It is useful for filling gaps in the summer border. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Propagation:
Through seeds – sow early spring in situ. Pinch back the shoot tips in May in order to encourage bushy growth.
Edible Uses: Seed. The leaves have been used as a flavouring agent.
Medicinal Uses:
The plant has been used to treat diarrhoea in children. The leaves are febrifuge and ophthalmic. A cold compound infusion has been used in the treatment of fevers and headaches. Externally, it has been used as an eyewash The leaves are febrifuge and ophthalmic. A cold compound infusion has been used in the treatment of fevers and headaches.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracocephalum_parviflorum#:~:text=Dracocephalum%20parviflorum%2C%20known%20as%20dragonhead%20mint%20or%20American,as%20well%20as%20much%20of%20Canada%20and%20Alaska.
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Dracocephalum+parviflorum
