motherwort USDA PLANTS Symbol: LECA2
U.S. Nativity: Exotic
Habit: Forbs/Herbs
Leonurus cardiaca L.
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Lamiales: Lamiaceae
Synonym(s): common motherwort, motherwort
Native Range: Europe and Mediterranean region (BAIL);
Appearance
Leonurus cardiaca is a perennial herbaceous plant is 2-5 ft (0.6-1.5 m) tall. The plant generally has few branches. The square stems are ribbed and somewhat pubescent. Stems begin erect but tend to sprawl as they mature. The root system is made up of both shallow fibrous roots and rhizomes. It is native from temperate Russia to central Asia. It has been cultivated in Europe for a many decades.
Foliage
The opposite leaves vary in size and shape. Leaves have long petioles and are slightly pubescent. Leaves become smaller and less lobed as they rise up the stem. The base of each leaf is somewhat wedge-shaped.
Flowers
Flowers are sessile and surround the stem in the leaf axils. Flowers are tubular flower with a white to pink corolla and long white hairs. There are usually purple dots on the lower lip and near the throat of the corolla. Flowers bloom for about 2 months during the summer.
Fruit
Fruits reddish brown to brown three sided nutlets. Each flower produces four nutlets.
Ecological Threat
L. cardiaca occurs in open disturbed woodlands, areas along woodland paths, woodland edges and thickets, edges of degraded wetlands, edges of yards underneath trees, and partially shaded fence rows. It can also invade natural woodland areas. This plant is still sold by commercial nurseries as a medicinal herb.
Selected Images from Invasive.orgView All Images at Invasive.org


Flower(s);
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s);
Dan Tenaglia, Missouriplants.com, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage;
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Seedling(s);
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Plant(s);
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s);
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s);
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s);
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org 		 


State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources:
City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States