Agastache scrophulariifolia

Agastache scrophulariifolia, also known as the purple giant hyssop,[lower-alpha 1] is a perennial plant that grows throughout the US and northern Ontario, Canada. Its name comes from the similarity of its leaves to plants of the genus Scrophularia.[3] It is a beneficial plant to pollinators and is noted for its medicinal properties, as many plants in the mint family are. It tends to grow in disturbed or open areas where it does not have to interact with non-native competitive plants.

Purple giant hyssop
Agastache scrophulariifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Agastache
Species:
A. scrophulariifolia
Binomial name
Agastache scrophulariifolia

Description

Individuals of this species are perennial herbs that can grow up to six feet tall. They are late-flowering species in the mint family. Agastache scrophulariifolia tends to have several spiked inflorescence. Flowers of Agastache scrophulariifolia do not all bloom simultaneously and range from lavender to pink in color. The dark brown fruit they produce is a nutlet.[4]

Distribution

Agastache scrophulariifolia was once distributed throughout CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, and ON, Canada. However, its range is now severely reduced in many areas and in some cases extirpated completely. These declines are largely due to habitat loss, predation by deer, and competition for resources with non-native plants.[5]

Conservation status in the United States

It is listed as endangered in Connecticut[6] and Massachusetts, as threatened in Maryland and Vermont, and as a special concern in Kentucky and Tennessee.[7]

Habitat and ecology

Agastache scrophulariifolia tends to grow in riparian habitats, disturbed open areas, and meadows. The previously mentioned areas are ideal for Agastache scrophulariifolia because competition with other plants is reduced. As riparian habitats are altered or farmlands return to forest communities, Agastache scrophulariifolia suffers from habitat loss. It is a perennial plant that grows well in sandy loamy soils and requires sunlight for its seeds to germinate.[5]

Usage

Many people use this plant for its aromatic effects. Its leaves are edible.[8] In many cases, herbal and landscape plants identified as A. scrophulariifolia are actually A. foeniculum[9] and A. rugosa.[2]

Medicinal

The Meskwaki use an infusion of the root as a diuretic, and also use a compound of the plant heads medicinally.[10]

Notes
  1. "Purple giant hyssop" also sometimes refers to A. rugosa,[1] which itself is sometimes mistakenly referred to as A. scrophulariifolia.[2]

References
  1. Diana Stoll. "Agastache: An Herb for the Perennial Border." Llewellyn's 2019 Herbal Almanac: A Practical Guide to Growing, Cooking & Crafting. Llewellyn Worldwide, 2018. pna. ISBN 9780738756578
  2. Roger Guillermo Fuentes-Granados. "Genetic Studies of Agastache." Iowa State University PhD dissertation. 1997. p. 14. doi:10.31274/rtd-180813-13259
  3. Tucker, Arthur; Debaggio, Thomas. The Encyclopedia of Herbs. London: Timber Press.
  4. Corrigan 2002, p. 2.
  5. Corrigan 2002, p. i.
  6. "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015". State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Retrieved 3 February 2018.(Note: This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date.)
  7. "Plants Profile for Agastache scrophulariifolia (purple giant hyssop)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  8. Midwest Foraging: 115 Wild and Flavorful Edibles from Burdock to Wild Peach By Lisa M. Rose
  9. Arthur O. Tucker and Thomas DeBaggio, The Encyclopedia of Herbs: A Comprehensive Reference to Herbs of Flavor and Fragrance. Timber Press, 2009. p. 127. ISBN 9781604691344
  10. Smith, Huron H. 1928 Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 4:175-326 (p. 225)

Plants Profile for Agastache scrophulariifolia (Purple giant hyssop). Plants Profile for Agastache scrophulariifolia (Purple giant hyssop). Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=AGSC

PURPLE GIANT HYSSOP Agastache scrophulariifolia (Willd.) Kuntze. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_agsc.pdf

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