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Common selfheal

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.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen, Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Common selfheal

1

Upright floral spikes reaching 2 feet (60 cm) tall.

2

Bilaterally symmetrical, purplish blue flowers with two distinct lips.

3

Distinctive four nutlets, dry and indehiscent, typically brownish.

4

Leaves 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, egg-shaped, with white undersides.

5

Long, slender stem with red tint, square cross-section, and smooth texture.

Common selfhealCommon selfhealCommon selfhealCommon selfhealCommon selfheal

Detailed Traits of Common selfheal

Leaf Features

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.

Leaf Base

Cuneate ,
Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Apex

Obtuse

Leaf Texture

Herbaceous

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

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.

Common selfheal Flower image
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Stem Features

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.

Common selfheal Stem image
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Fruit Features

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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Key Facts About Common selfheal

Attributes of Common selfheal
Lifespan
Perennial
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
Blue
Purple
Violet
Stem Color
Green
Purple
Blue
Leaf type
Evergreen, Semi-evergreen
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Scientific Classification of Common selfheal

Family
Mint
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Species
Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)
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Distribution Map of Common selfheal

Common selfheal is an exceptionally widespread species native to nearly all of the Northern Hemisphere. It has also been extensively introduced to South America and New Zealand. This grassland plant happily adapts to gardens, roadsides, and fields, but is classed as an invasive species on several Pacific islands, including Hawaii, and New Zealand.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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