A common native of marshes, wet meadows, and stream banks, American Water Horehound is an upright member of the mint family. It is easily identified by its distinctly square stem.

Its sharply toothed, lance-shaped leaves are its most variable feature, with the lower ones often being deeply and irregularly cut—a shape that inspired its scientific name, *Lycopus*, meaning "wolf's foot." From mid-summer to fall, dense, button-like clusters of tiny white flowers encircle the stem where the leaves join. While its flowers are inconspicuous, it is a sturdy and widespread plant, forming an essential part of the green fabric of healthy wetlands.