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American germander flower spikes develop on the tips of the stems, with flowers opening from the bottom of the spike towards the (elongating) tip. Individual flowers are small (about 1/3-3/4"), white or lavender, with a bell-shaped, hairy calyx; an upper lip reduced to two lance-like, vertical lateral lobes that insure pollinators remain beneath the single long, arching single and 3-4 stamens with purple anthers; and a greatly expanded lower lip (a landing pad for pollinators) covered with purple spots. The fruit consists of four nutlets that are nearly fused together, nestled in the remnants of the calyx (which clearly shows the asymmetrical teeth — bottom two smaller than upper three). The nutlets are greenish white when immature, becoming redder and coarsely pitted as they mature. American germander is distinguished from other members of the mint family (Lamiaceae) by the very small upper lip and enlarged lower lip. Related species of Teucrium contain a toxic compound that causes liver damage in animals; for safety's sake, I would avoid herbal remedies that include American germander.

Teucrium

Teucrium canadense

American germander [Blooms: Jun-Aug]