Lamiaceae: the Mint & Deadnettle Family
The Callicarpa or beautyberry, a much sought after garden shrub, is a mint...who would have guessed! (Photo: Sten)
Epsom & Ewell Flower Finder
Lamiaceae: the Mint & Deadnettle Family
A large number of these are aromatic: catnip provides hours of amusement for humans at the expense of cats' dignity; rosemary and mint are Sunday roast must-haves. However - this family includes trees and shrubs.
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Glechoma hederacea
Ground Ivy, Gill-Over-the-Ground
Soft hairs. Patch-forming, purple flowers. Plant up to 0.2 metre high.
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Aromatic and scent described as "blackcurrant" or "cat pee" - big difference! The diagram approximates how we see the flower and how insects see it as a UV signature: a "target".
"Gill-Over-the-Ground" and "Tunhoof" are remnants of our Viking heritage. It was used well before the discovery of hops - Vikings were skilled makers of beer.
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Prunella vulgaris
Selfheal
Spreading via runners, purple flowers. Plant up to 0.2 metre high.
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A close up of the "lollipop" flowerheads show how intricate they are. The leaves are edible and have a taste similar to walnuts. PLEASE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PICKING BEFORE YOU TRY!
Tiny flower trumpets like this are useful to insect species with shorter tongues as they can access their food easily. You will see this plant in lawn, woodland and cracks in pathways.
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Stachys palustris
Marsh Woundwort, Clown's Heal-all, Marsh Hedgenettle
Tall, hairy, square stem, almost stalkless leaf, pretty purple flowers. Plant up to 0.8 metre high.
About
I found this growing at the foot of a wooden wayfinding sign on the Hogsmill Nature Reserve, Ruxley, Ewell, Surrey. It is a common plant of marshes and riversides.
Like all woundworts, has a strange smell when disturbed. Bumble Bees absolutely love it, deer find woundworts unpleasant. A good wildlife plant to have beside your pond but beware - like garden mint, it spreads!
HOMEMore information
SURREY'S WILDFLOWERING PROJECT is a community-led initiative, aiming to build a partnership that enables wildflowering in the county as well as promoting and celebrating the boroughs/districts diverse environments. Do take the time to find out more about the project and if you can get involved, even in a small way, you will make a difference.
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