Carpet-bugle

Ajuga reptans

Found in lawns and roadsides. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height: 6 inches–1 foot
Spread: 6 inches–1 foot
Light: Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture: Usually moist

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Similar growth form, height, light
Hooded Blue Violet
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Sun: Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Blue, pink, purple or white.
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Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Pink or purple.
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At a glance

Life cycle: Perennial
Leaves: Semi-evergreen or evergreen
Bloom: March to June

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Recorded in 21 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

—CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Lamiaceae
Hardiness: Zones 3a–10b
Soil pH: Acidic
Flower color: Blue, purple or white
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth habit: Spreads by runners
Foliage color: Green

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “March to June” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) (ranked first; USDA PLANTS differs) · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “Blue, purple or white” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox (ranked first; USDA PLANTS differs)
Foliage color · “Green” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Growth habit · “Spreads by runners” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Growth rate · “Rapid” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Hardiness · “Zones 3a–10b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “6 inches–1 foot” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox (ranked first; USDA PLANTS differs)
Leaves · “Semi-evergreen or evergreen” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Occasionally wet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil pH · “Acidic” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “6 inches–1 foot” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Carpet Bugle

Conservation status

Alabama rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
AL status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source