Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) also known as throw-wort and lion's tail
Wild Flowers of Sleepy Hollow Lake From All-Creatures.org Art and Photo Journals and Galleries Directory

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Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
Table of Contents

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 01
(Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 01) Motherwort is originally from Asia and Southeastern Europe, but has now spread to may other parts of the world. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Motherwort grows to heights of 2-4 feet, and the 1/4 to 1/2 inch pink flowers bloom from June to August.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 02
(Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 02) We spotted these motherworts are growing in the midst of wild grapes and raspberries on one of our walks to pick up our mail, which is an enjoyable 3.3 mile walk. The name "motherwort" came from the fact that midwives used this herb as a uterine tonic and to treat uterine infections.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 03
(Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 03) The pointed palmate leaves of the motherwort grow opposite one other with long petioles (leaf stems). The flower clusters grow from the leaf axils (the upper side of where the leaves are attached to the stem).
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 03a
(Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 03a) In this close-up look at a portion of the flowering motherwort, we can see the very hairy pink flowers growing in whorls above the leaf axils. The literature says that the number of flowers in each whorl can vary from 6 to 12. In this close up we can also see the tiny hairs growing on the leaf petioles, and on the somewhat square-shaped stem.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 04
(Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 04) In this photo, we can see several upright stems of the motherwort in various stages of flowering from newly budding to mature flowers.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 05
(Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 05) This is another look at a flowering motherwort. In this photo, we can also tell why some people refer to the leaves of the motherwort being oak leaf shaped.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 05a
(Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 05a) This is a close-up look at some of the maturing motherwort flowers. Motherwort flowers appear in whorls above the leaf axils on the upper part of the plant and have three-lobed bracts. The calyx of each flower is bell-shaped and has five lobes. The corolla (petals) is irregular, 8 to 12 mm (0.3 to 0.5 in) long, fused, long-tubed with two lips. The upper lip is convex and covered with white hairs and the lower lip is three-lobed and downward-curving and spotted with red. The flowers are pink to lilac in color often with furry lower lips. There are four stamens, two short and two longer, and the fruit is a four-chambered schizocarp (a dry fruit that, when mature, splits up into mericarps, which each contain one or more seeds). In other words, it's a very complex flower, which we picture as God having fun when He created it.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 06
(Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) - 06) This is another look at some of the whorls of motherwort flowers.

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