# Wall germander (*Teucrium chamaedrys*)

Wall germander is a lovely green plant with small purple flowers. It grows close to walls and rocks, making it a great friend for gardens and sunny spots.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Urban areas

![Wall germander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Teucrium_chamaedrys_1.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Franz Xaver, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Teucrium_chamaedrys_1.jpg)

## Appearance

The Wall germander is a low-growing perennial with dark green, glossy, finely toothed leaves and distinctive square stems. It produces small, purplish-pink flowers arranged in loose spikes during summer, often forming dense, woody mats.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Romans once used wall germander to flavor their wines!
- It loves growing wild on old castle walls and ruins across Europe!
- Its scientific name, Teucrium, might honor a legendary King from Troy!
- People once thought this herb could cure the painful disease gout!

## Special abilities

- **Underground Explorer:** Wall germander can spread quickly using underground stems (rhizomes) that help it form dense colonies and cover ground effectively.
- **Hardy Survivor:** Wall germander has tough, aromatic leaves that help it survive in dry, poor soils and deter some hungry herbivores.
- **Winter Green:** Wall germander often stays semi-evergreen, keeping some leaves through winter, allowing it to start photosynthesizing early in spring.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-30 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:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.
- **Pollinates:** [Painted Lady](https://www.snappit.app/explore/painted-lady) (*Vanessa cardui*) — Feeds on nectar, aiding plant reproduction.
- **Eaten by:** [European rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Rabbits may graze on its leaves.

## Traits

- [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [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.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [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.
- [Spice](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spice): This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

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

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before touching or tasting plants.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Wall germander?

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 Wall germander?

10-30 cm

### How wide does Wall germander spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Wall germander?

1-2 cm

### When does Wall germander bloom?

Summer

### Is Wall germander edible?

Yes

### Is Wall germander toxic?

None

### What is Wall germander's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Naturpark Altmühltal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/altmuhl-valley-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park

## 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: [Wall germander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wall-germander)