common selfheal
Prunella vulgaris
Historically known as 'heal-all', it was a staple in medieval apothecary kits and was used to treat wounds, sore throats, and fevers.
- Scientific name
- Prunella vulgaris
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Lamiales › Lamiaceae › Prunella
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Meadows, lawns, forest edges, and roadsides
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
- Range
- North America, Europe, Asia, North Africa
- Size
- 5 to 30 cm tall, spreading up to 50 cm wide
- Lifespan
- Perennial (individual plants live 3-5 years, colony persists indefinitely via stolons)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Excessive herbicide use in manicured lawns and intensive agricultural land conversion.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and safe to touch. This edible herb can be observed closely in lawns and fields. Ensure the area has not been sprayed with chemical pesticides or herbicides before handling or harvesting.
Prunella vulgaris (known as common self-heal , heal-all , woundwort, heart-of-the-earth , carpenter's herb, brownwort and blue curls) is an herbaceous plant in the genus Prunella .
Photo: Brady Reed, CC0, via iNaturalist
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