Prunella (plant) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prunella (plant) |
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| Prunella vulgaris (Common Self-heal) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nepetoideae |
| Tribe: | Mentheae |
| Genus: | Prunella L. |
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Prunella is a group of plants known by common names like self-heal or heal-all. These plants are herbaceous, meaning they have soft stems instead of woody ones. They belong to the Lamiaceae family, which is also known as the mint family. People have used Prunella plants in herbal medicine for a long time.
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Where Prunella Plants Live
Most Prunella plants grow naturally in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. However, one type, called Prunella vulgaris (the Common Self-heal), can be found almost everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, including North America. It is often seen as a common lawn weed.
Prunella plants are low-growing. They like to grow in damp, wild areas and grassy spots. They spread quickly to cover the ground. Since they are part of the mint family, their stems are square, just like other mint plants.
About Prunella Plants
The name "self-heal" comes from how some types of Prunella have been used to help with small health problems. You can grow self-heal plants from seed. You can also grow them by carefully dividing larger plant clumps in the spring or autumn.
Types of Prunella
There are several different types of Prunella plants. One of the most common is Prunella vulgaris, which is found in many parts of the world. Other types include Prunella grandiflora and Prunella laciniata. Some types are natural mixes of two other Prunella plants.
Prunella vulgaris itself has different forms, called subspecies:
- Prunella vulgaris ssp. aleutica
- Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata
- Prunella vulgaris ssp. vulgaris
How People Use Prunella
Traditional Medicine Uses
For a long time, people have used Prunella in traditional medicine. In the Pacific Northwest, some Native American groups, like the Quinault and the Quileute, used the juice from Prunella plants on boils. They also used the whole plant to treat cuts and reduce swelling.
People can make ointments by mixing the plant with grease. Dried Prunella (called Chinese: 夏枯草 in Chinese) is also used to make a special herbal drink.
Food Uses
The leaves of Prunella plants are a little bitter. However, they can be eaten as salad greens. The larvae (young forms) of some moths, like Coleophora albitarsella, also eat Prunella plants.
