Stachys sylvatica - Hedge Woundwort

Family:	Labiatae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.9
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway to Portugal, the Caucasus and the Himalayas.

Stachys sylvatica (Hedge Woundwort) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.9m . It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
Hedge Woundwort will flower in January to February. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Hedge Woundwort will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hedge Woundwort prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Hedge Woundwort can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woodland, hedgebanks and shady waste places, usually on rich soils[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

Grows well along woodland edges[24]. The whole plant gives off a most unpleasant smell when bruised[245]. A good bee plant[24].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The whole herb is styptic[4]. It is applied externally to wounds etc[4]. The plant is also said to be diuretic, emmenagogue and tonic[240].

• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Emmenagogue - Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
• Styptic - An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Scented parts of the plants

Plant : Crushed

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A tough fibre is obtained from the stem[4]. It has commercial possibilities[4]. A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[4].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Fibre - Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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