Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Apollo’

Description

Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Apollo’

A tall leafy clump forming plant which tapers into foot long blue wands with a string vertical accent, though still with the odd playful bend and twist. The terminal raceme (main spike) is superseded by a whorl of secondary spikes all crammed with tiny flowers that a re a magnet to insects. Ideally grown in full sun in a moisture retentive soil but also effective in light shade to the slight detriment of the strong vertical accent. Heavy flower production, late June- mid August. 150cm tall by 90 wide. One of the varieties that gained a 4* rating in the Chicago Botanic Gardens trial (Apollo, Fascination, Lavendulterm & Pink Glow)

Veronicastrum

There is a long history of medicinal use of this plant. The main use of Culver’s root has been as a purgative and for liver complaints. The common name derives from Dr Culver, a pioneering 18th century physician who promoted its use. Medicinal use can , however, be quite dangerous as the fresh root is a both a violent cathartic and purgative agent, said to produce bloody stools and even abortion. despite this, the Chippewa used a tea made from the root as a blood cleanser. It is notable that the dried root has a less violent effect than the fresh root.

Naming

Veronicastrum shares a common name, Bowman’s Root, with Gillenia, whose roots have also been used in the past as an emetic. I would speculate that this maybe points to a historical confusion of two plants amongst the herbal trade.

There are a great number of common names for this plant, always a good indicator of wide herbal use. Culver’s root, Culver’s-root, Culverphysic, Culver’s physic, Bowman’s root, black root, Eustachya, Leptandra-wurzel. Leptandra virginicum.

Linnaeus first placed Veronicastrum in Veronica where it sat until it was moved into Leptandra and then later Veronicastrum. The name Veronicastrum, therefore, refers back to this similarity.