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Gypsywort (Bog
& Marginal Plant)
Lycopus europaeus
Distribution:
A native British plant.
Habitat:
Ponds,
pond edges, ditches, river
banks and marshy areas in partly shaded sites.
Description:
Perennial.
Tall, straight stems
with purple flowers from June to September.
Uses:
The
stem and leaves were used as an astringent and sedative and used to
treat anxiety, tuberculosis and heart palpitations. It has also been
used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and related disorders.
Industrially, Gypsywort was used in making a permanent black dye which
is where it may have got its name from. Gypsies were said to have
used it to stain their skin darker to resemble Africans or Egyptians
when performing 'magic'.
Sowing
Instructions for Seeds:
Sow
seed spring or
autumn in a cold frame.
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into
individual pots and plant them out in summer for flowering the following
year.
Our
plants and seeds are of native British origin.
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