Horse Balm

Other names

Stone Root

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region, Eastern North America

Cultivation

A large, citrus-scented plant with relatively insignificant yellow flowers.
Light: part shade to full shade.
Moisture and Soil: moist, rich soil, does not like thin or acid soils.

Propagation

Seed Treatment and Storage: Store seeds dry then moist cold stratify 30-60-90 days. Germinate at 70°F.

Biocultural value

The Cherokee used crushed horse balm leaves and flowers as a deodorant. The Haudenosaunee used the plant for a wide range of medicinal purposes, including as a poultice for headaches, a decoction for rheumatism, and a root infusion for listlessness. Today, stone root is widely sold as an herbal supplement for circulatory conditions and it is especially touted as a remedy for hemorrhoid pain.

The statements above were sourced from:

Native American Ethnobotany Database: http://naeb.BRIT Native American Ethnobotany Database.org/

Wildlife value

Horse balm is mainly pollinated by bumble bees (Bombus spp.) seeking nectar and pollen. A host of insects have ben observed eating the plant's foliage, including the larvae of two specialist gall fly species (Dasineura collinsoniae and Lasioptera collinsonifolia), several aphid species (incl. Hyalomyzus collinsoniae and H. eriobotryae), round-winged katydid (Amblycorypha rotundifolia), larvae of the horse balm sun moth (Psectrotarsia herbardi), and the larvae of several borer moths (Papaipema spp.). Bobwhite quail (and possibly other birds) eat horse balm seeds. Mammalian herbivores such as white tailed deer tend to avoid the foliage.

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Coy Glen, Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve, Fischer Old-growth Forest, McLean Bogs, Eames Bog, Ringwood Ponds, Tarr-Young Preserve

Source of plant

Unknown

Description

Stems erect, 30-80cm, branching above. Leaves 2-8cm, oblong, elliptic or oval, apex short, acuminate, margin coarsely dentate-serrate, base cuneate to truncate. Panicles with puberulent branches; pedicels 4-8mm; calyx with 3 upcurved lobes, lower lip with 2 subulate lobes; corolla 1cm, upper lip 2-lobed, lobes rounded-ovate, lower 3-lobed, middle lobe largest, lacerate-fimbrate at margins to 5mm.

USDA Hardiness Zone

4

Status

L4|S5|G5