Horehound as a Weed
Horehound, scientifically known as Marrubium vulgare, was once used as an ingredient in cough medicines and candy. While it can be planted in a controlled manner, horehound left unattended becomes an aggressive weed, and poses problems for neighboring plants. Does this Spark an idea?
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Habitat
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Horehound, a member of the mint family, is native to Europe. However, the plant has become invasive all across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. It also grows within several Canadian provinces.
Growth
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The highly tolerant behavior of horehound lends to its weed status. Horehound tolerates poor soil, drought, and disturbed areas such as roadsides and livestock grazing land. Horehound can push out other plants if they have less tolerance, overtaking the area quickly.
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Dispersal
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Horehound is far-spreading because it uses several different seed dispersal methods. The plant produces burrs that stick to animals, clothing and car tires. The seeds also float off in water or mud. Livestock grazing in pastures infested with horehound eat the seeds, and spread them in their excrement.
Control
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When horehound invades areas such as livestock grazing areas or national parks, the areas must turn to methods of removal such as hand-pulling the weeds or severing roots below ground level, then burning the plants. Spot-spraying the plants with herbicide also helps control the spread of the weed.
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