Common Selfheal is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in grassland, meadow and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 30cm.
Selfheal is named after the plant's traditional medicinal use to treat wounds and other ailments. It is a creeping plant with hairy stems, leaves and upper petals. The flowers are borne in whorls on compact spikes with green calyces and bracts, turning purplish-brown on maturation. Two opposing leaves are to be found immeditely beneath each flower spike.
Botanic classification and naming: Common Selfheal is a member of the Mint (Lamiaceae) family. The genus name
'Prunella' identifies the plant as a Selfheal and its species name 'vulgaris' means 'common species'.
Benefits: Selfheal is a good plant for attracting bees and butterflies.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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