Culver's Root (2024)

FAQs

How do you identify Culver's root? ›

Identifying Characteristics

Culver's-root is a large, showy, herbaceous perennial. Plants have erect, unbranched stems reaching 80 cm to 2 m in height. Each stem has many whorls of 3 to 7 narrow, lanceolate, to lance-ovate, somewhat stiff, finely serrate leaves that are typically hairy on their underside.

These flowers, which bloom from the top to the bottom, are not fragrant, last about a month and resemble a candelabrum. The small seeds can be carried by the wind several feet from the mother plant. The root system has a central taproot as well as underground stems (rhizomes).

The species can reach up to 4 feet so space plants at least 3 feet apart.

My Culver's root, if left alone, will often flop over — it can reach 4 to 5 feet in height. I cut back stems in a ring around the perimeter of the big clump, leaving just a few at full height in the middle. The lower stems help support the taller ones, and they bloom at different times.

Culver's Root is fairly pest resistant but may have some issues with root borers. Foliage is unpalatable to deer and other herbivores. Plants can be slow to establish in the garden - not reaching their potential for three or so years.

COMPANION PLANTS: Lead plant, heath aster, shooting star, rattlesnake master, flowering spurge, sawtooth sunflower, wild bergamot, mountain mint, yellow coneflower, black-eyed Susan, compass plant, prairie dock, stiff goldenrod, cordgrass, prairie dropseed and golden Alexanders.

Toxicity: The root is toxic - see notes at bottom of page.

Adaptable to many soil types and pH (acidic, alkaline, chalky, clay, loam, fertile soil, neutral, sandy soils). Tolerates only shorter time of droughts. Deer and rabbit resistant, black walnut tolerant. Attracts native bees, honeybees and some butterflies.

The inflorescence has several wand-like flowering spikes that resemble an elegant candelabra. Each spike bears many small, white, tubular flowers about a half inch long with protruding, orange-brown colored stamens. The individual flowers are comprised of four fused petals up to a half an inch long.

The blooms reach 4 feet or more, adding a vertical accent to the back of a mixed border or wild garden from mid-summer to early autumn. Plants spread to about 3 feet. Noteworthy CharacteristicsCulver's root's lance-shaped, whorled leaves are deep green and remain attractive through the season.

Does Culver's root need full sun? ›

Culver's Root needs full sun and soils that do not dry out in order for it to thrive its best. With its tall stature, it is traditionally placed towards the back of a border.

It is best propagated by division since the seeds are difficult to germinate. Divide mature plants making sure the each section has a bud and root. SITE REQUIREMENTS: Wet to dry, open woods, wet-mesic prairie, shaded rocky slopes. Growth is best in rich loamy soil.

Culver's Root blooms with its gorgeous white spires in the late spring through to early summer. According to NC State Extension, cutting them down to the rosette may deliver another flowering in the fall.

The unbranched stems of Culver's Root grow 2-6 ft. tall and are topped by several spikes of densely-clustered, tiny, white to pinkish, tubular flowers.

The plant has long been valued for its medicinal qualities by Native Americans and pioneers. The Cherokee used it as a tea for backaches, fever, typhus, and other ailments; the Seneca used it as a laxative; and the Menomini used it to purge the body of evil spirits.

Other names: Bowman's root, Physic Root, Black Snake Root, Tall Speedwell, Leptandra, and Whorly Wort. History: The roots are long sought after for their medicinal uses. The Meswuakies use Culver's root (Black Snake Root) as a remedy for constipation and to dissolve gravel in the kidneys.

Native to eastern North America, Culver's Root flourishes in full sun or light shade and tolerates a wide range of soils. Butterflies and numerous solitary bees such as sweat bees, carpenter bees and bumble bees will visit the popular flowers.