Stachys sylvatica in flower
Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica) Dead-Nettle Family (Lamiaceae)
Lamiaceae is a distinctive family containing dead nettles, woundworts and mints. Along with key diagnostic features it is a family which often possess a distinctive smell. Hedge Woundwort is no exception.
Hedge Woundwort is a common species found in hedges, woodland and on verges and it flowers between June and October. The plant spreads through seed dispersal and through its spreading rhizomes.
Hedge Woundwort was used in the past, as its name suggests, as a medicinal herb. It stems the flow of blood from an injury (styptic) and has antiseptic properties. It also has been used to produce a yellow dye and for its strong fibres.
In the past it has been called Clown’s All Heal and old medicinal recipes suggest grinding the leaves with hog’s lard and spreading the mixture as a poultice on wounds and cuts; not something which now sounds that appealing!
Have a look on campus as the plant can still be found even in November, flowers are currently not present. But the hardened calyxes and nutlets will be visible. Specimens are present along some of the paths through the wilderness, and around the lake.
ID features
It looks similar to common nettles but has a distinctive medicinal smell when the leaves are crushed.
Square stems, erect (30-80cm) and roughly hairy. Leaves are oval-cordate (4-9cm) with stalks (petioles), in pairs up the stem (opposite decussate), there are no stipules. Flowers are deep red with white patches, in loose terminal inflorescences. Flowers are two-lipped, with a corolla-tube, each with a calyx tube and arranged in whorls. Seeds are 4 separate one-seeded nutlets.
Identification information from Francis Rose, The Wild Flower Key, 2006.
Cool blog – very interesting item