# woodland germander (*Teucrium scorodonia*)

Woodland germander is a lovely plant that grows in shady places like forests. Its leaves are green and can smell a bit like garlic when you touch them!

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

![woodland germander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Teucrium_scorodonia_02_ies.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Teucrium_scorodonia_02_ies.jpg)

## Appearance

The woodland germander is a herbaceous perennial with square stems and crinkled, oval, toothed leaves resembling sage. It produces small, pale yellow-green to purplish-white flowers arranged in loose, leafy spikes, giving it a delicate, understated beauty.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Ancient healers once used woodland germander for its special properties!
- Feel its stem; it's perfectly square, a cool trick from its mint family!
- Its scientific name, Teucrium, honors an ancient Trojan prince!
- Look closely: its tiny flowers have a lip that looks like a miniature orchid!

## Special abilities

- **Root Raider:** Woodland germander can spread its roots underground to pop up new plants, quickly covering ground and outcompeting others.
- **Scent Shield:** Its leaves release a strong, aromatic scent when crushed, which helps deter some herbivores from munching on it.
- **Shade Seeker:** This plant thrives in woodland shadows, expertly using limited light where many other sun-loving plants struggle to grow.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-60 cm
- **Spread:** 20-40 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-1.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Vital for spreading its pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Common Carder Bee (*Bombus pascuorum*) — Buzzing bees visit its flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Drone Fly (*Eristalis tenax*) — Hoverflies also aid pollination.
- **Parasitizes:** Germander Rust (*Puccinia teucrii*) — A tiny fungus that feeds from 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.
- [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.
- [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 a grown-up says it's okay.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify woodland 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 woodland germander?

30-60 cm

### How wide does woodland germander spread?

20-40 cm

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

1-1.5 cm

### When does woodland germander bloom?

Summer

### Is woodland germander edible?

No

### Is woodland germander toxic?

None

### What is woodland germander'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: [Woodland Germander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/woodland-germander)