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Teucrium scorodonia - L.

Common Name Wood Sage
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry, not strongly calcareous, soils in woodlands, grassland, heaths and dunes[4, 17]. Also found on lime-free moorland soils[200].
Range W. Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Portugal, Italy, Croatia and Germany.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Teucrium scorodonia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is 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. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The plant resembles hops in taste and flavour[4]. An infusion of the leaves and flowers is used as a hop substitute for flavouring beer in some areas[2, 4, 183]. It is said to clear the beer more quickly than hops, but imparts too much colour to the brew[4].

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.
Alterative  Appetizer  Astringent  Carminative  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Skin  
Tonic  Vulnerary

The herb is alterative, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic and vulnerary[4, 61, 165]. It is harvested in July and can be dried for later use[4]. The herb is often used in domestic herbal practice in the treatment of skin afflictions, diseases of the blood, fevers, colds etc[4]. It is an appetizer of the first order and is equal to gentian root as a tonic[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good soil and almost any situation[1, 4]. Once established, this is a drought resistant plant, succeeding in dry shade[190].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in the following spring. Division in early spring[1]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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
Teucrium canadenseAmerican Germander, Canada germander, Western germanderPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM010
Teucrium chamaedrysWall Germander, GermanderShrub0.3 5-9 SLMHSNDM123
Teucrium marumCat ThymeShrub0.3 8-11  LMHNDM02 
Teucrium massiliense Shrub1.0 5-9  LMHNDM10 
Teucrium polium Shrub0.2 6-9  LMHNDM11 
Teucrium scordiumWater GermanderPerennial0.6 -  LMHSNM011

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Kate Fewx   Mon Jan 18 2010

I looked up this herb on your site because it is mentioned in the original "Back to Eden" by Jethro Kloss. (This book was popularized by John Lust of the school of the American School of Natureopathy in 1896.) "Common Name: Garlic sage...Will promote appetite. Good external wash to cleanse old sres, combined with chickweed. Makes an excellent poultice for cancer and tumors combined with comfrey and ragwort. This will very often cure. Very useful in palsy, quinsy, sore throats, colds, fevers, kidney an bladder troubles. Increases urine flow and menstrual flow."

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Subject : Teucrium scorodonia  
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