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Summary

Sideritis scardica, native to the Balkans, grows in rocky high-altitude areas. Due to its medicinal value, it's heavily harvested from the wild and historically used for healing wounds from iron weapons. It's popularly brewed as 'mountain tea' (Mursalski Tea) and contains various beneficial compounds like flavonoids, terpenes, and essential oils.

Physical Characteristics

Sideritis scardica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Homotypic Synonyms: Navicularia scardica (Griseb.) Soják. Heterotypic Synonyms: S. florida Boiss. & Heldr. S. raeseri subsp. florida (Boiss. & Heldr.) Papan. & Kokkini. S. scardica subsp. longibracteata Papan. & Kokkini.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

It's a tough Mediterranean herb. It is used as a herb for preparing tisane (beverages made from the infusion or decoction of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water) using stems, leaves, and flowers or for its aromatic properties in local cuisines.

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.

Medicinally, parts of the plant were used in poultices or decoctions to treat skin irritations, inflammation, and joint pain, though internal use is unsafe due to saponins.

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Ground cover. A good ground cover for any sun-baked spot. It forms a decorative carpet of felted silver leaves. Ornamental.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A short-lived herbaceous perennial which reproduces by seed, this plant is found in open, dry, grassy and stony meadows and rocky places on limestone shallow or eroded soils. It occurs on slopes predominantly with southern exposure and an incline of 5-30 degrees for maximum insolation, higher temperatures and dry conditions. Suitable for light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. It can be associated with different plant species, provided they have little competition. It was also found to be particularly associated with habitats dominated by Juniperus communis. The mass collection of generative shoots during the flowering phase combined with low germination of seeds has resulted in a significant population decline, at least in parts of its range, as the plant has been exploited for its herbal properties. Dislikes cold, wet winters. It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Malotira

Native Range

Native to: Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Montenegro.

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.

Very low. Instead of spreading invasively, the bigger issue with Sideritis scardica is sustainability and protection in the wild.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Near Threatened

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Sideritis hyssopifolia	Hyssop-leaved mountain ironwort	Shrub	0.4	6-10	F	LMH	N	DM	3	3	1
Sideritis syriaca	Ironwort	Perennial	0.4	7-10		LM	N	DM	1	0
Sideritis theezans		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0

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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Sideritis scardica - Griseb.