Ajuga reptans L., Lamiaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  no

Threat only at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 11 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

English: ajuga, blue bugle, bugleherb, bugleweed, common bugle

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Rhizomatous perennial with long glabrous sparsely leafy stolons (sometimes broken off when collected). Stem erect, 10-30 cm, simple, upper internodes pubescent only on 2 opposite sides.  Basal leaves obovate, attenuate below, subcrenate, petiolate.  Cauline leaves 1-2-paired, obovate-elliptic, attenuate at base.  Verticillasters approximate below, crowded above, 6-12-flowered.  Bracts ovate, subentire, sessile, upper shorter than flowers.  Calyx 4-5 mm, teeth c. as long as tube.  Corolla blue, 12-16 mm, with straight annulate tube, c. 2 x longer than lower lip; upper lip emarginate, short.  Stamens exserted from tube" (Davis et al., 1984; vol. 7, pp. 44-45).

Habitat/ecology:  In Turkey, "forests, Quercus scrub, meadows, 50-1500 m" (Davis et al., 1984; vol. 7, pp. 44-45). Grows rapidly even in poor, heavy soils. Needs moist conditions. It does best in fairly well drained soils with frequent watering (Floridata).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Europe, western Asia and northern Africa (Algeria and Tunisia) (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive cultivated	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 766) "Moist, shady places".

Additional information:  Additional online information about Ajuga reptans is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Ajuga reptans may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Davis, P. H./Mill, R. R./Tan, Kit, eds. 1965. Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. Edinburgh, University Press. 1965-1988, 10 vols.

U. S. Government. 2006. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) (on-line resource).

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2007. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. 1988. Flora of New Zealand, Volume IV: Naturalised pteridophytes, gymnosperms, dicotyledons. Botany Division, DSIR, Christchurch. 1365 pp.