Plant · GBIF taxon 3172206
Culver's root
Veronicastrum virginicumAlso known as Culver's-physic, Bowman's Root, Black Root
Culver's root towers over prairie grasses and meadow wildflowers, producing elegant candelabra-like spires of tiny white to pale lavender blossoms from mid to late summer. Whorls of dark green, lance-shaped leaves wrap the tall stems at regular intervals, giving the plant a distinctive, architectural silhouette. These nectar-rich flower spikes serve as vital midsummer refueling stations for long-tongued bees, butterflies, and syrphid flies.
PerennialNative FlowerPollinator Magnet
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Nutrients
Predators
- Culver's Root Borer Moth Larvae
- White-Tailed Deer
- Rabbits
ThreatsHabitat loss, wetland drainage, and invasive species competition
HabitatsTallgrass prairies, moist meadows, open woodlands, and savanna edges
Life spanPerennial (10+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPlantaginaceae
- SpeciesVeronicastrum virginicum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Garden Placement: Plant in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-draining soil to support tall growth.
- Pollinator Watching: Visit during sunny midsummer mornings to spot specialized native bees foraging on the floral spires.
- Winter Interest: Leave dried seed heads standing through winter to provide food for seed-eating birds.
Frequent Companion (c) tzeducation, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by tzeducation · cc-by
Frequent Companion Herbivore 
Frequent Companion (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sandy Wolkenberg · cc-byClose Relative
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