Prunella vulgaris

Self-heal, Heal-all

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: April - December

Self-heal is a perennial with prostrate to erect stems 5–80 cm long. Its upper leaves are entire to obscurely toothed. Its flowers are blue to violet (rarely, pink or whitish) with 2-lobed upper lips that form an overhanging helmet-shaped structure. The flowers' 3-lobed lower lips are reflexed, with the central lobe having teeth on its end.

Self-heal has two varieties: American Self-heal (var. lanceolata) and Eurasian Self Heal (var. vulgaris). In the American variety, the principal or median cauline leaves (not the upper leaves) are lanceolate to oblong, averaging 3 times (2-5) as long as wide, and the leaves are cuneate at their base. In the Eurasian variety, the principle or median cauline leaves are ovate to ovate-oblong, averaging 2 times (1.5-2.5) as long as wide, and the leaves are broadly rounded at their base.

29 May 2024 Haymarket, VA	23 July 2014 Conway Robinson Memorial State Forest, Gainesville, VA	17 July 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	23 July 2014 Conway Robinson Memorial State Forest, Gainesville, VA
17 July 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	17 July 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	17 July 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	17 July 2014 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (top of this specimen was cut or browsed before blooming)
10 September 2022 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	10 September 2022 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA	10 September 2022 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA

>> return to list of flora