Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Thursday - April 25, 2013

From: Huntsville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Seeds and Seeding, Medicinal Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Sharing Selfheal with Texas Friends
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

I have discovered selfheal plants in my yard. When and how do I collect the seeds or do I just dig up plants to share with friends? I understand this is actually an herb. I love identifying wildflowers in my area.

ANSWER:

Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) is a native plant throughout most of North America (except the most northern regions) and is often found in lawns and moist, shady locations.

From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database… Its favorite habitat includes moist fields, gardens, pastures and along woodland edges in the eastern and southern portions of Texas. It can be grown most anywhere, with a little extra water in very dry conditions. In very hot areas, give it a spot that is protected from the hot afternoon sun.

The Plants For a Future website contains the following information about growing Prunella vulgaris from seed that might be helpful with your quest to share this plant with friends.

Seed - sow in mid spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in mid to late spring. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Seeds can be collected from the ripe or mature (dried) seed heads. The seed head will turn brownish when it is ripe. Check frequently so you don’t miss getting the seed when they are ripe and before they fall to the ground. If you have to harvest the seed when it is not quite ripe, you may be able to finish ripening it in a sealed paper bag. There are four nutlets/seeds per head.

In addition, The Seed Site online has a very good webpage with details and images of the seed head and seeds.

Also, there is more information on the USDA NRCS website has a factsheet on Prunella vulgaris and report that Flowers bloom progressively in the spike from the lower to upper end. Bloom occurs April to September, depending on the latitude and elevation. Each flower produces four smooth, egg-shaped, one-seeded nutlets that are retained in the persistent calyx. The nutlets are primarily distributed by flowing water, grazing mammals and birds.

Dividing selfheal and transplanting it is also a very good way to share this plant.

 

From the Image Gallery


Common selfheal
Prunella vulgaris

Common selfheal
Prunella vulgaris

Common selfheal
Prunella vulgaris

Common selfheal
Prunella vulgaris

More Medicinal Plants Questions

Smarty Plants on women trying to conceive
July 10, 2005 - RE: Eucalyptus. Is this bad for women trying to conceive? The smell is very powerful.
view the full question and answer

Information on herbs for Northeast Ohio
May 03, 2006 - Hello there, I am writing you seeking some information on Northeast Ohio's native plants. This has been rather difficult to find—specific native plants that can be used as herbs. If you could h...
view the full question and answer

Question about Allamanda cathartica
July 29, 2008 - how would i prove that allamanda cathartica is an antidote for anti-tetanus in a cheaper way?
view the full question and answer

Possibility of native plants as natural mosquito repellants
February 08, 2007 - I live in Austin Texas and have what I would consider a mosquito infestation in my garden for most of the year. Are there native plants to this region that are proven to be naturally mosquito repella...
view the full question and answer

medicinal uses of Rudbeckia triloba
September 16, 2009 - Browneyed Susan, Brown-eyed-Susan, Thin-leaved coneflower, Three-lobed Rudbeckia Rudbeckia triloba L My question relates to the above species. I am doing research on historically medicinal plants...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.