Lacy Germander

Lacy Germander (Teucrium laciniatum)

by Bonnie Martin

Also known as cut-leaf germander, lacy germander is a member of the Lamiaceae or mint family, which includes lavender and salvia. The genus name Teucrium (TEW-kree-um) may refer to King Teucer of Troy, a great archer in Greek mythology, although there is not a lot of evidence to confirm this. The plant’s aromatic blooms are small, white, and funnel-shaped, crowded at the top of erect stems, with purple lines at the throat. The specific epithet laciniata (la-sin-ee-AH-ta) means slashed or torn and refers to the deeply cut, narrowly lobed leaves.

 Native to the eastern two thirds of New Mexico and much of the southcentral United States, lacy germander is found in meadows and grasslands, on mountain slopes, and at roadsides. It grows on plains, prairies, savannas, pastures, hills, and valleys at elevations from 4,000 to 6,500 feet.

Planting and care: Not picky about where it is planted. Once established, it needs very little care.

Landscape use: Germander is a good source of nectar for bees and butterflies. Deer resistant, it is evergreen and quite sturdy, holding up to New Mexico’s strong spring winds. It often forms a dense mat in sunny, unirrigated areas. In the home landscape it can be used as a groundcover, in borders, or in perennial gardens.

Propagation: Can be started from seed in the fall or in spring after two months of cold stratification, by division of the underground rhizomes in the fall, or by cuttings.

Plant type: herbaceous perennialBloom time: May through September

Size: 3–6 inches high x 2 feet wide

Sun: full sun, part shade

Water: low water; extremely drought tolerant

Soil: sandy loam, clay loam, clay, caliche, limestone, or even gypseous soils

USDA zones: 4–8

Resources:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Tecrium laciniatum

Santa Fe Botanical Garden, Teucrium laciniatum