Selfheal

Prunella vulgaris

Common names include Common Self-heal, Heal-all, Woundwort, Heart of the Earth, Carpenter's herb, Brownwort, and Blue Curls. 

A low-growing, herbaceous perennial in the mint family. Many flowering spikes bloom in dense clusters spring through summer. Flowers are in all shades of purple and lavender. You’ll typically find it thriving in moist fields, gardens, pastures, and along the enchanting woodland edges of Texas's eastern and southern regions. This resilient plant can grow almost anywhere, needing just a bit of extra water during dry spells. In particularly hot areas, try to place it in a spot that enjoys some protection from the harsh afternoon sun (best in full sun in northern states, but appreciates shade here in Texas). Can tolerate most soil conditions, but thrives best in organically rich soils. It spreads easily, making it a great, low-maintenance groundcover. Especially beautiful for tapestry lawns.

A medicinal herb that gets its name due to its traditional use in healing wounds, treating throat infections, and several other ailments. The possible health benefits of this plant are attributed to several of its compounds. These include flavonoids, tannins, and ursolic, rosmarinic, and oleanolic acids, which may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The leaves can be eaten cooked or raw.  They are used in stews, soups, and salads.  Wash the leaves to remove the bitter-tasting tannin prior to eating. An olive-green dye can be extracted from the flowers and stems.   

Loved by bumblebees and butterflies. Larval host plant for Clouded Sulphur butterflies.

BONAP MAP

Height: 6”-12”
Spread: 1’-3’
Bloom: May-October
Light: Full Sun-Dappled Shade
Water: Low-Medium
Zone: 4-9
Origin: Texas, most of the U.S. and Canada