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Common Motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in roadsides, pastures, disturbed areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

-30
Harmful

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

Profile 65%

Height
2–4 feet
Light
Partial shade, Full shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to moist

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Arkansas.

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
May to August
Fruiting season
July to October

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 8 Arkansas 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

2CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AR

Genus host records with ranges including AR · Leonurus

  • Papaipema nebrisStalk Borer
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Lamiaceae
Fruit begins
July
Fruit ends
October

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

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Lions Tail; Motherwort

Conservation status

Arkansas rankSNA
Global rankGNR
AR statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources