

How to identify Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)
Common selfheal, also known as Heart-of-the-earth, Blue curls
Common selfheal is easily recognizable by its upright floral spikes that can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall. It features small, tubular flowers that are densely arranged around these spikes. Each flower is accompanied by hairy bracts, which lend a slightly fuzzy appearance to the floral array. The plant maintains a perennial growth habit, emerging year after year with its distinctive flowers.
Upright floral spikes reaching 2 feet (60 cm) tall.
Bilaterally symmetrical, purplish blue flowers with two distinct lips.
Distinctive four nutlets, dry and indehiscent, typically brownish.
Leaves 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, egg-shaped, with white undersides.
Long, slender stem with red tint, square cross-section, and smooth texture.
Common selfheal features leaves that are 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) long, egg-shaped to lance-shaped, with smooth or toothed edges. These leaves are narrowly ovate, displaying a short petiole. The undersides are densely covered in long, white hairs, adding a distinctive texture. Margins may exhibit some low teeth. This combination of size, shape, and texture makes the leaves of common selfheal easily identifiable and characteristic of this species.
The flowers of common selfheal are small, ranging from bluish to lavender or sometimes whitish, and are arranged in a cylinder-shaped head. Each flower is purplish blue, bilaterally symmetrical with two distinct lips, and grouped in a spike inflorescence. Large bracts, fringed and either greenish or purple-tinged, support the flower head. The blooming period typically spans from late spring to early autumn, and each flower measures approximately 0.3-0.4 inches (8-10 mm) in length.
The stem of common selfheal is long, slender, and typically unbranched. It is often square in cross-section and exhibits a noticeable red tint. Depending on its growth conditions, it can be either erect or decumbent, where the base lies on the ground with the tip curving upwards. The stem's texture is generally smooth, and its thickness usually ranges from 0.08 to 0.12 inches (2 to 3 mm), contributing to its flexible yet sturdy nature.
The fruit of common selfheal is distinctive, consisting of four small nutlets, each one forming part of the complete fruit structure. These nutlets are typically dry and indehiscent, meaning they do not open to release seeds at maturity. Each nutlet is a one-seeded fruit, often exhibiting a hard and smooth texture. While size can vary, they generally remain quite minute, rendering them inconspicuous. In color, the nutlets usually present a brownish or sometimes a dark grey hue upon ripening, and cling tightly to the plant before eventually dispersing for the purpose of propagation.
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Scientific Classification of Common selfheal