PLANTS FURNlSlllXCi .M KIMCl N A 1 



l,KA\'i;S AM) IIKIIIiS. 



25 



MOTllKKAVOHT. 



Synonym. — Cardiaca riih/dris Moench. 



Other contnion names. — Throwwort, cowthworl, lion's-fail, lion's-ear. 



JIdbitat and range. — Motlierwort, naturalized from Eur()j)e and a native also of Asia, 

 Ls found about dwellings 

 and in v.aste i)laces, its 

 range in this country ex- 

 tending from Nova Scotia 

 to North Carolina, Minne- 

 sota, and Nebraska. 



Description. — The 

 rather stout, erect, 4- 

 angled stem of this peren- 

 nial herb attains a height 

 of from 2 to 5 feet, is spar- 

 ingly hairy, and has up- 

 right branches. The 

 rough, dark-green leaves 

 are borne on long stems, 

 the lower ones rounded, 

 about 2 to 4 inches wide 

 and three to five lobed, 

 the lobes pointed, toothed, 

 or variously cut, the upper 

 narrower ones three cleft 

 with lance-shaped lobes. 

 Motherwort flowers in 

 summer, the pale-purple 

 or pinkish lip-shai:)ed 

 blossoms produced in the 

 axils of the leaves being 

 arranged in dense circles 

 around the stem ; the up- 

 per lip is densely covered 

 with white, woolly hairs 

 on the outside and the lower lip is three lobed and mottled. (Fig. 17.) Motherwort 

 belongs to the mint family (Menthaceae). 



Collection, prices, and uses. — The leaves and flowering tops are collected during the 

 flowering season. They have an aromatic odor and a very bitter taste. At present 

 they bring about 3 to 5 cents a pound. 



Motherwort has stimulant, slightly tonic properties and is used also to jjromote 

 perspiration. 



97225°— Bui. 219—11 4 



Fig. 17.- 



-Motherwort (Leonurzis cardiaca), leaves, flowers, and seed 

 clusters. 



