Culver's Root

Veronicastrum vriginicum is an interesting native plant, especially now that it is blooming at Habitat Home. The plant shoots straight up, produces lovely whorled leaves and then flower spikes in great abundance. The abundance helps attract many insects; bees, butterflies, wasps, and bumble bees seem especially fond of the flowers. The common name comes from Dr. Culver, a physician in the eighteenth century who popularized the use of the plant for digestive problems and constipation. The plant grows in partial shade but it is also found amongst the tall grasses in our mesic prairie.