Veronicastrum virginicum
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Herbaceous perennial. Native to eastern and central North America.
Produces beautiful spikes of showy white flowers in the second year.
Definitely one of the most remarked-upon plants in medicinal gardens, it
is also a valuable plant drug of long-standing reputation. The roots
must be dried and aged for at least a year before use, or they will create
unpleasant intestinal griping. The aged root is gently laxative and
tonifying to the liver, used mainly in cases of dyspepsia, indigestion,
chronic diarrhea, jaundice and inflammation of the liver. Cultivation:
Extra care. Press seed into surface of flat in very early spring
and water carefully. Needs a period of at least 2 weeks of cold conditioning
before it will germinate, but does so quite completely and vigorously once
correct conditions are met. Space transplants 2 feet
apart. Grows 4 to 6 feet tall.
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