Plant Profile: Collinsonia canadensis

Richweed is a perennial wildflower belonging to the mint family, originally found from Quebec down to Florida. It thrives predominantly east of the Mississippi River, particularly in cove and rich forests, especially those with calcareous or mafic soils. In North Carolina, it can be located in both the Piedmont region and the mountains.

This plant can reach heights of up to 4 feet and spread as wide as 3 feet, propagating through rhizomes. Its flowers, which are tubular and yellow, bloom on terminal spikes and emit a pleasant lemony fragrance. The leaves are not only aromatic but can also be brewed into tea.

Richweed favors partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic mesic soils enriched with humus and loam. It flourishes beneath deciduous trees and is ideally suited for naturalized and woodland environments, serving as an excellent nectar source for bees.