Seasonal Wild Flowers

Selfheal

Prunella vulgaris

Lamiaceae

Late May to October

It is found throughout the country.

For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway

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.

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