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Common bugle (Ajuga reptans)

Common bugle Common Names: Bugleweed, Carpetweed

Description: In traditional Austrian medicine, has been used as tea for the treatment of disorders related to the respiratory tract.

Habit: Erect; herbaceous plant growing up to 12 in in height when in flower (mid-spring) but only 2-4 in in Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Leaves: Approximately 2 1/2 in long and 1 1/2 in broad, opposite, toothed, oblong to obovate and glabrous or sparsely pubescent, green to deep purple in color.

Stems: 4-angled and densely pilose (covered in fine hair) above and less below, green to deep purple in color.

Flowers: Whorls of 4 flowers arranged in terminal spikes, pollinated by bees, butterflies and moths; produces small blue-purple tubular blossoms; blooms April through July.

Fruit and seeds: Small brown 1 seeded nutlets.

Habitat: Native to Europe and Asia. Found in lawns, roadsides, fields, meadows, and woodlands with partial sun to full shade; moist, well drained soils.

Reproduction: Repent stems (leafy runners) and seeds.

Similar species: Geneva bugle or Blue bugle (Ajuga genevensis).

Monitoring and rapid response: Cut, shear or weed-eat flowering stalks to prevent seed dispersal. Dig up runners and/or shallow roots twice a year; can be effectively controlled using any herbicides such as glyphosate or triclopyr.

Credits: The information provided in this factsheet was gathered from the USDA PLANTS Database and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

Individual species images that appear with a number in a black box are courtesy of the Bugwood.org network (http://www.invasive.org).Individual photo author credits may not be included due to the small display size of the images and subsequent difficulty of reading the provided text. All other images appear courtesy of Google (https://images.google.com).


Common Name:

Common bugle

Scientific Name:

Ajuga reptans

Family:

Lamiaceae
(Mint)

Duration:

Perennial

Habit:

Herbs

USDA Symbol:

AJRE