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Prunella - (L.)Jacq.

Common Name
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grassland, usually in calcareous soils[50].
Range Europe.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Prunella


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Franz_Xaver
Prunella
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fornax

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Prunella is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. pyrenaica.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[46, 61, 105]. A mild flavour[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position or light shade[188, 197]. It requires weeding for the first year or so[197]. They are best spaced about 45cm apart each way[208]. Plants have not been a reliable ground cover in Cornwall, often dying after flowering, though they usually self-sow[K].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Thrives in any damp soil in a shady position[1, 111] or in full sun[200]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[187]. The sub-species P. grandiflora pyrenaica has larger flowers and is found wild on acid soils whilst the type species is usually found on alkaline soils[187]. Plants tend to be short-lived, often dying out after flowering heavily in the summer[208]. Fortunately, they will usually self-sow freely[K]. Most plants are hermaphrodite but sometimes male plants are found.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in mid spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in mid to late spring. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Azerbaijan, Georgia EUROPE: Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Prunella grandiflora Perennial0.2 4-8  LMHSNM203
Prunella vulgarisSelf-Heal, Common selfheal, Aleutian selfheal, Lance selfhealPerennial0.2 3-7  LMHSNM233

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Jacq.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

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Subject : Prunella  
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