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Stachys sylvatica - L.

Common Name Hedge Woundwort, Whitespot
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Woodland, hedgebanks and shady waste places, usually on rich soils[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway to Portugal, the Caucasus and the Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort, Whitespot


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Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort, Whitespot
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Stachys sylvatica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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 moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedgerow;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Styptic  Tonic

The whole herb is styptic[4]. It is applied externally to wounds etc[4]. The plant is also said to be diuretic, emmenagogue and tonic[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Fibre

A tough fibre is obtained from the stem[4]. It has commercial possibilities[4]. A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[4].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grows well along woodland edges[24]. The whole plant gives off a most unpleasant smell when bruised[245]. A good bee plant[24].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

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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,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Iran (north), Turkey (north), Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Kazakhstan (southeast), Kyrgyzstan, China (Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy (incl. Sicily), Romania, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), 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 :

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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.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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Readers comment

Cliff G. Jackson   Sat Apr 21 2007

I have found that the leaves, when crushed, prove better than dock leaves for dealing with stings. As a family we rely on this plant and cultivate it in the garden for this sole purpose (oh, and because the flowers are gorgeous !) Cliff G. Jackson Tarporley, Cheshire.

aisling blackburn   Tue Apr 22 2008

wish i could say somthing positive about this plant, i will ok , it has amazing powers of survival and will dominate a veg patch if you let it. not only is it powerful by seed dispersal it has underground roots rivaled only by ground elder only, which take all the available water and nutrients in a given area. what a pity it has only one red heart ! it may take a few years for my veg patch to recover - BEWARE

Clay   Fri Dec 18 2009

The leaves are edible according to "The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America" (by Couplan). I'm quite relieved to learn this as I've been eating it (boiled)for a few years now thinking it was Lamium purpereum, they are similar but yiks!! that was lucky!

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