Selfheal
Patch of Selfheal
Flowerhead - calyx
Flowerhead - green calyx
Close-up of flowers -stamens
Viewed from above
Leaves and square stem
Prunella vulgaris
Lamiaceae
June to October
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Selfheal
It grows in grassland, woodland clearings, waste ground, bare
ground and lawns, where it can be a persistent weed.
Selfheal is a native, patch-forming, perennial herb, growing
up to 30cm.
It is variable in size and colour. It is much taller in hedge banks
and meadows compared with more open habitats.
Plants with the prostrate habit appear rather insignificant, but
those in meadows and hedgebanks can be tall and elegant.
The flower heads are nearly cubic and the individual flowers
are lilac.
The sepals are purple or green with a purple tinge.
The leaves are oval to lanceolate.
In habitats where Cut-leaved Selfheal grows, or has grown in
the past, Selfheal will cross with it to form Hybrid Selfheal.
Selfheal can be a nuisance, especially in lawns.
Its low habit enables it to survive mowing.
On the other hand, in the past it was extensively used in herbal
medicine to speed up recovery from wounds.
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Patch of Selfheal
Flowerhead - calyx
Flowerhead - green calyx
Close-up of flowers -stamens
Viewed from above
Leaves and square stem
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