Culver's-root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
- Family: Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)
- Flowering: June-September.
- Field Marks: This species is easily identified by its whorls of toothed leaves and its candelabra-like spikes of pink flowers.
- Habitat: Wet meadows, as well as a variety of usually more dry habitats.
- Habit: Perennial herb with rhizomes.
- Stems: Erect, branched, smooth or sometimes hairy, up to 6 foot tall.
- Leaves: In whorls of 3-6, simple, lanceolate to lance-ovate, pointed at the tip, tapering to the base, toothed, smooth or hairy, up to 4 inches long, up to 3/4 inch broad.
- Flowers: Several, crowded into several erect spikes, pink; each spike up to 6 inches long.
- Sepals: 4-5, united, unequal.
- Petals: Usually 5, united into a tube; the tube up to 1/2 inch long, pink.
- Stamens: 2, attached to the petals.
- Pistils: Ovary superior, smooth.
- Fruits: Capsule ovoid, up to 1/4 inch long.
- Notes: The root contains substances that have been used in the past for medicinal purposes.
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