Australian Gypsywort

Australian Gypsywort, Lycopus australis, or Bugleweed, or Water Horehound, is an erect perennial herb that grows in moist to wet places around swamps, bogs and wetlands. It is a useful plant for binding the soil and providing food and habitat for a range of insects, frogs, etc.

Lycopus australis is native to Australia, quite common around wetlands in Victoria.  In Tasmania, Australian Gypsywort is a listed as ‘endangered’ in the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. Good native nurseries often have Australian Gypsywort available for home gardeners to use in wet areas, frog ponds, etc.

There were several healthy populations of Australian Gypsywort at Thomas Maddock Reserve during a recent bird survey.