Salvia lyrata
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Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: cancer weed
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: United States
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: April to June
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Description: Purple
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Wet Soil, Deer
Uses: Rain Garden

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Prefers moist, sandy or clay soils. Tolerates very light shade, but best in full sun. Also tolerates heat and humidity. Self-seeds and naturalizes in optimum growing conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Cancer weed is a Missouri native perennial which typically occurs in moist or sandy soils in open woods, clearings, thickets and streambanks in the southeastern Ozark region of the State. Features whorls of two-lipped, lavender blue flowers (1 inch long) in upright, interrupted spikes which typically rise above the foliage to 1-2' tall. Flowers bloom in mid to late spring. Irregularly lobed, basal leaves (often somewhat lyre-shaped) with smaller and sparser stem leaves. Also commonly called lyre-leaved sage. A mint family member that is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Borders, cottage gardens, native plant gardens, wild or naturalized plantings or moist areas in low spots or along streams or ponds.

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