Korean pyramid bugle is a small, very hairy member of the mint family that bears tiers of purple flowers up its stem in spring. It is native to Korea, China, and the Russian Far East and does not grow wild in the US.
Appearance
- Growth form
- An upright perennial, 4–12 in (10–30 cm) tall, with stems densely covered in long white hairs.
- Leaves
- Opposite, oval to egg-shaped leaves with wavy-toothed edges.
- Flowers
- Two-lipped purple flowers, about 3/4 in (2 cm) long, cluster at each leaf joint up the stem.
- Fruit
- Four tiny with a net-like surface pattern.
Look-alikes
carpet bugleAjuga reptans
Carpet bugle spreads by runners into low mats and has dark green, often purple-tinged leaves. Korean pyramid bugle stands upright without runners and is shaggy with long white hairs.
Why they get mixed upBoth are bugles with spikes of purple-blue, two-lipped spring flowers; carpet bugle is the one Americans know from gardens.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- sunny grassland
- low hillsides
- Range
- Native from southeastern Siberia and the Russian Far East to China and Korea. It isn't part of the US flora.
- Preferred conditions
- Grows in sunny, low grassy places such as open hillsides and lawns.
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
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