Selfheal
Patch of Selfheal
Flowerhead - calyx
Flowerhead - green calyx
Close-up of flowers- 4 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
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- 4 stamens
Viewed from above
Leaves and square stem
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