# common selfheal (*Prunella vulgaris*) Common selfheal is a small plant with purple flowers that loves to grow in grassy places. It's known for its healing properties and can be found in many gardens and fields. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 37 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Allheal, Heal-all ![common selfheal](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Prunella_vulgaris_-_harilik_k%C3%A4bihein.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prunella_vulgaris_-_harilik_k%C3%A4bihein.jpg) ## Appearance The common selfheal is a low-growing plant with square stems and opposing oval leaves. Its most striking feature is its dense, purplish-blue flower spikes, often appearing cone-like, making it distinct from many common lawn plants. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Lamiaceae - **Genus:** Prunella ## Interesting facts - Even its young leaves and flowers can be added to salads! - In some cultures, it was believed to ward off evil spirits! - Its square stems instantly reveal it's a member of the mint family! - This resilient plant can thrive even when repeatedly mown! ## Special abilities - **Ground Hugger:** Common selfheal has creeping stems that root at the nodes, allowing it to spread efficiently and cover ground. - **Pollinator Beacon:** Common selfheal produces dense, nectar-rich flower spikes that act as a strong visual and food signal for many insects. - **Herbal Helper:** Common selfheal contains natural compounds that have traditionally been used to soothe minor skin irritations and wounds. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-30 cm - **Spread:** 15-45 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to Fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen from its flowers - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — a frequent visitor to its dense flower spikes - **Eaten by:** [Groundhog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/groundhog) (*Marmota monax*) — often grazes on its leaves and stems - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — includes common selfheal in its varied diet ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before touching or picking any plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify common selfheal? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is common selfheal? 5-30 cm ### How wide does common selfheal spread? 15-45 cm ### How big are the flowers on common selfheal? 0.5-2 cm ### When does common selfheal bloom? Spring to Fall ### Is common selfheal edible? Yes ### Is common selfheal toxic? None ### What is common selfheal's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Bixby State Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bixby-state-preserve) — Iowa, US · Nature Reserve - [Bloedel Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloedel-reserve) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Charlotte Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlotte-street-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Dead Run Stream Valley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dead-run-stream-valley-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Derryfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/derryfield-park) — New Hampshire, US · Park - [Forts Baker, Barry, and Cronkhite](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forts-baker-barry-and-cronkhite) — California, US · Historic District [View all places to see common selfheal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-selfheal) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Common Selfheal: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-selfheal)