Selfheal
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris), Cornton, Stirling, July 27 2026
The characteristic, stalkless, paired leaves, immediately beneath the oblong flower spike are lance-shaped or ovate (broader towards the base and pointed at the tip). Note the short hairs on the top and undersides of the leaves. Similar white hairs can be seen on the squarish stem and more noticeably on the packed, short, terminal inflorescence. Selfheal is in the same Family as mint, sage and origanum (oregano) but its leaves are non-aromatic.
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) – Plant Atlas
Selfheal (P. vulgaris), Cornton, Stirling, July 27 2026
The flowers, which can be seen from June to September, are scentless and violet/blue in colour. Note the fine pointed teeth of the darker calyx and beneath, the pair of sessile patterned bracts, spear-tipped lapels, green-lined and white. The corolla of the flower itself is very distinctive and tubular with a hooded upper lip (adorned with more short white hairs on the central keel); lower lip cupped, with a sharply frilled margin, and flanked on either side by small smooth-edged tongues.
Selfheal (P. vulgaris), Cornton, Stirling, July 27 2026
Prof. John Grace (Botanical Society of Scotland) reports P. vulgaris can do well on calcareous soils and at such sites the “flowers are often at their very bluest in colour”. This might suggest the soil on the Cornton site is not strongly calcareous (alkaline). However, given its presence there in relatively good, if not frequent, numbers then the soil conditions clearly favour Selfheal. Reasonable inferences being a moderate pH soil, poorly drained, heavy and moist (at least in some patches).
Selfheal (P. vulgaris), Cornton, Stirling, July 27 2026
Selfheal does well in areas of short-turf. Broadly speaking this does not describe the Cornton site in summer when the patch is properly shaggy with growth! But it can establish in areas where taller herbs are not dominant and competition from grasses is restricted. The mowing of the site in autumn may help this wintergreen perennial as other species less tolerant of disturbance are cut back.
Selfheal (P. vulgaris), Cornton, Stirling, July 27 2026
As the scientific name suggests the plant is common and the species is typically described as widespread or ubiquitous in the UK (the species name ‘vulgaris’ means ‘common’).