Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Cupid’

Description

Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Cupid’

Flowering spikes that are relatively stocky for the genus distinguish Veronicastrum ‘Cupid’. The colouring is a rich purple in bud, toning into blue-lavender as the flowers open, paling as the white stamens begin to protrude. Each main spike is accompanied by a ruff of shorter secondary spikes in a ring around its base.

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.

Links

Veronicas Compared

Botanical Style Photographs