Lopseed, American Lopseed, Phryma leptostachya L. , Minnesota Native Wildflowers, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

(American Lopseed) Lopseed is an erect native perennial growing from 1 to 3 feet high on square, sometimes purple stems. The 1/4" wide flowers are white, often with purplish external color, 4 part, with a long tube attached to the stem with a very short pedicel. They occur opposite each other and stand straight out from the stem. Each flower has two lips, with the lower lip having three lobes. There are four stamens with pale yellow anthers. Flowers appear in an inflorescence that is a tall, thin, terminal spike; occasionally branching from a leaf axil. Flowers open from the bottom upward. Usually buds, flowers, and seed pods will be visible from top to bottom. Seed pods hang downward, producing a dry, tan achene. Leaves are simple, opposite, ovate to lanceolate, with coarse teeth. the lower leaves have long stalks, the upper leaves very short or stalkless. Lopseed grows in moist woods. The species name is Latin meaning "slender-spiked".

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Lopseed	Phryma leptostachya L.	Verbena (Verbenaceae)	Woodland	PS
Other names and notes	(American Lopseed) Lopseed is an erect native perennial growing from 1 to 3 feet high on square, sometimes purple stems. The 1/4" wide flowers are white, often with purplish external color, 4 part, with a long tube attached to the stem with a very short pedicel. They occur opposite each other and stand straight out from the stem. Each flower has two lips, with the lower lip having three lobes. There are four stamens with pale yellow anthers. Flowers appear in an inflorescence that is a tall, thin, terminal spike; occasionally branching from a leaf axil. Flowers open from the bottom upward. Usually buds, flowers, and seed pods will be visible from top to bottom. Seed pods hang downward, producing a dry, tan achene. Leaves are simple, opposite, ovate to lanceolate, with coarse teeth. the lower leaves have long stalks, the upper leaves very short or stalkless. Lopseed grows in moist woods. The species name is Latin meaning "slender-spiked".