Collinsonia anisata Sims

Southern Horsebalm; Anise Horsebalm; Blue Ridge Horsebalm

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Southern Horsebalm is a native herbaceous perennial in the Mint family (Lamiaceae). It can be found in central and southern Alabama. Southern Horsebalm occurs in mesic hardwood forests, in mixed pine-hardwood forests, in ravines, and on slopes. It is a perennial from a thickened rhizome. Usually 1-3 stems are produced from the apex of each rhizome. The stems are erect, unbranched or branched above the middle, 4-sided, and green or purplish in color. The stems are pubescent below with unbranched hairs and glandular pubescent above. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, elliptic to ovate in outline, with toothed margins. The leaves are sparsely to moderately pubescent on both surfaces and glandular punctate on the upper surface. All parts of the plant have an anise odor when crushed. Flowers are produced in a terminal panicle or raceme. There are 2 flowers per node. The calyx is pubescent and glandular punctate with 5 lanceolate teeth. The corolla is zygomorphic, light yellow in color, with 4 fertile stamens. The fruit is a nutlet. The only other Horsebalm in Alabama with 4 fertile stamens is Whorled Horsebalm (Collinsonia verticillata Baldwin). That species is confined to extreme northeast Alabama, has 6 flowers per node, whorled leaves, and a lemon scent. It is also a spring flowering species.—A. Diamond

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Native

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