Scientific Name
Agastache foeniculum
Files
Download Seed: The nutlets are 1.3 to 1.5 mm long. (428 KB)
Download Seedling: Three month old seedling of lavender hyssop. (115 KB)
Download Vegetative: The leaf blades are 4-9 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide. (527 KB)
Download Flowering: The flower spikes can be 4-12 cm long. (494 KB)
Download Fruiting: Lavender hyssop produces fruit in late summer. (861 KB)
Download Plants (999 KB)
Family Name
Lamiaceae
Common Name
Lavender hyssop, Blue Giant Hyssop
Native American Name
Lakota: wahpe' yata' pi
Description
Agastache foeniculum is a perennial rhizomatous forb, which grows 0.6 m to 1 m in height. The stems are square with opposite ovate to broad to lanceolate leaves, greenish above and whitish underneath due to a fine, appressed pubescents. When crushed the leaves smell of anise. Flowers open in July and August and are arranged in a terminal spike-like raceme. The tubular calyx is 5 toothed 5-7 mm long and lavender toward the tips. The corolla is 2-lipped 7-10 mm long and lavender to bluish-purple in color. Stamens 4 and exerted from corolla. Pistil with 2 carpels with a 2-part style. Fruit are 4 nutlets. This species is commonly found in upland woods and prairies.
Additional Notes: The leaves and flowers make a very pleasant tea. The flowers attract honeybees, bumble bees and butterflies. The mature fruit is a staple for birds such as the gold finches
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Collect seed in September
Germination: Fall sow or stratification
Vegetative Propagation: Easily planted by division of rootstock cuttings
Soils: Sandy (well drained)
Light:
Water: Moist
Notes: The seeds smell like licorice
Additional Notes
wahpe' yata'pi means leaf that is chewed