Canada Germander

Teucrium canadense

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Ranked S4 (Apparently Secure) in Ontario and SNR (Not Ranked) in Quebec. Globally secure at G5. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Listed as Sparse in the Hull-Ottawa area, suggesting local populations are small and scattered despite continental abundance.
S22 S26 S63
Rarity Ranks: QC SNR – Not Ranked, ON S4 – Apparently Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A rhizomatous perennial of moist to wet lowlands, typically colonizing floodplain margins, streambanks, marsh edges, and moist meadows. Listed as Sparse in the Hull-Ottawa region, with four sites documented in the Ottawa flora including Richmond Fen and Stony Swamp. Thrives on fertile alluvial soils and tolerates seasonal flooding.
S10 S7 S63 S62

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Nurse Plant, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Nurse Plant: S10 keyword match: pioneer (supporting signal only)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 24 bee associations (threshold=3)]
Notes: OWSL recommends pairing with tall prairie and meadow species that share moist soil preferences. The rhizomatous growth habit provides ground stabilization in wet meadow plantings, while the summer bloom period complements the later-flowering goldenrods and asters.
S3 S10

Category: Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue
S29
Notes: Leaf tea used as a diaphoretic, diuretic, and emmenagogue. Leaves applied externally as an antiseptic dressing for cuts. The plant has been a widespread adulterant of commercial skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) supplies. Pioneer-era use assumed medicinal value from the bitter-tasting leaves.
S29 S10

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: No documented edible uses. USDA rates human palatability as none.
S29 S11