Heal-all - Prunella vulgaris

Above: Heal-all near Marion Dunn Pond in Madison, Wisconsin. (8/4/20).

Heal-all - Prunella vulgaris

Heal-all is a short, drooping to semi-erect perennial forb growing from 1/2 to 1-1/2 feet high. Part of the mint family. it loves lawns and disturbed areas. It tends to stay low to the ground to avoid mowing, and attracts bees and butterflies when flowering.

The flowers grow from a clublike, somewhat square, whirled cluster; immediately below this club is a pair of stalkless leaves standing out on either side like a collar.

Flowers are two lipped and tubular. The top lip is a purple hood, and the bottom lip is often white; it has three lobes.

Prunella vulgaris is edible, and can be used in salads, soups, stews, and boiled as a pot herb. For edible parts and a Selfheal skincare recipe, visit www.ediblewildfood.com.

CAUTION: Always refer to a reputable field guide when considering whether to use a plant for medicinal purposes or if you think it might have edible parts. DO NOT rely on the photos displayed on this page for plant identification.

As the name suggests, it was once sought-after as a medicinal herb by herbalists.

Other names: Self-heal, lawn prunella,

For more information on the Heal-all, visit Wikipedia.

Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Heal-all.

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