Self Heal
A Wildflower Journal
Posted on by Doug Smith
Self-heal is usually spotted in middle elevations in open areas, near wet spots.
- Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) is a perennial in the mint family.
- Growing from fibrous roots and a woody base, stems rise 5 to 20 cm high.
- Leaves are opposite and lanceolate, mostly on stems. The lower leaves are usually larger.
- The inflorescence has many blue-purple flowers and many bracts surrounding a blocky spike.
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- Small smooth nutlets form after the flowers fade.
- Frequently spotted on lakeshores, stream banks, along drainages, and in wet meadows in summer.
- Used by herbalists and traditional people for a variety of medicinal uses.
- Mostly spotted to the north and east of the Kamloops area.
We look forward to seeing self-heal by the trails in summer. Its unusual habit and the abundance of flowers in wet spots is a welcome sight each year.