# hedge woundwort (*Stachys sylvatica*)

Hedge woundwort is a plant that grows in shady places, often in forests and hedges. It has lovely purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies, making it a great friend to nature!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests
- **Also known as:** Wood Betony

![hedge woundwort](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Illustration_Stachys_sylvatica0.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Stachys_sylvatica0.jpg)

## Appearance

The hedge woundwort has square, hairy stems and pairs of heart-shaped, toothed leaves. Its clusters of small, hooded, purplish-red flowers, often spotted with white, grow in whorls around the upper stem. The overall plant has a slightly coarse, upright appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Lamiaceae
- **Genus:** Stachys

## Interesting facts

- Archaeologists have found its ancient seeds at real Viking sites, showing its long history!
- Crush a leaf, and you might smell something surprisingly musky or mushroom-like!
- Its stems are square, a secret clue that it belongs to the amazing mint family!
- This plant can grow happily in shady spots, bringing pops of purple to dark corners.

## Special abilities

- **Healing Hairs:** Hedge woundwort has sticky hairs on its stems and leaves, traditionally used to help staunch bleeding and clean minor wounds.
- **Bee Beacon:** Its tubular, nectar-rich flowers are perfectly shaped to attract long-tongued bees, ensuring efficient pollination and a sweet reward.
- **Underground Spreader:** Hedge woundwort can spread using underground rhizomes, allowing it to form dense patches and recover quickly if damaged.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-80 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its tubular flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — A frequent visitor, drawn by the nectar-rich blooms.
- **Pollinates:** Red Admiral butterfly (*Vanessa atalanta*) — Sips nectar, aiding in flower pollination.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [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.
- [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.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify hedge woundwort?

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 hedge woundwort?

30-80 cm

### How wide does hedge woundwort spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on hedge woundwort?

1-2 cm

### When does hedge woundwort bloom?

Summer

### Is hedge woundwort edible?

Yes

### Is hedge woundwort toxic?

None

### What is hedge woundwort's lifecycle?

Perennial

## 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*)

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Source: [Hedge Woundwort: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hedge-woundwort)