Practical
Plants

Ajuga reptans

Bugle

a perennial member of the Ajuga genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Ajuga
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is said to be a narctic hallucinogen that is known to have caused fatalities[13].

Edible uses

Young shoots - raw[17].

Plant part
Young shoots
Preparation
Raw

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Bugle has a long history of use as a wound herb and, although little used today, it is still considered very useful in arresting haemorrhages and is also used in the treatment of coughs and spitting of blood in incipient consumption[16][11][12]. The plant contains digitalis-like substances (these are commonly found in Digitalis species and are used in treating heart complaints) and is thought to possess heart tonic properties[12]. It has also been considered good for the treatment of excessive alcohol intake[16]. The whole plant is aromatic, astringent and bitter[16][17][18]. The plant is usually applied externally[17]. It is harvested as it comes into flower in late spring and dried for later use[16][17]. It is also commonly used fresh in ointments and medicated oils[9]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole plant. It is widely used in various preparations against throat irritations and especially in the treatment of mouth ulcers[17].

Plant part
Whole
Preparation
Dried, Fresh, Oil
Product or use
Aromatic
Plant part
Whole
Preparation
Dried, Fresh, Oil
Product or use
Astringent
Plant part
Whole
Preparation
Dried, Fresh, Oil
Product or use
Antihemorragic
Plant part
Whole
Preparation
Dried, Fresh, Oil
Product or use
Blood tonic
Plant part
Whole
Preparation
Dried, Fresh, Oil
Product or use
Alcohol problems

Material uses

A good ground-cover for a position in semi-shade[7], forming a carpet and rooting as it spreads[8]. Fairly fast growing but it does not always smother out weeds and can become bare at the centre if not growing in good conditions[6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, to S.W. Asia and N. Africa.
Habitat
Damp grassy fields and damp woods[17][1][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 10°c[2], though it can be erratic[9]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer[K]. Division of runners at almost any time of year. Very easy, the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a humus-rich, moisture retentive soil and partial shade[14][15][7]. Does well in marshy soil and in the spring meadow[10]. Grows well in dry shade[4][5] and is fairly drought tolerant once established, though it shows distress in severe drought[5]. Plants do not always ripen their seeds in Britain, they spread freely by runners, however, and soon form an extensive patch in suitable conditions[16]. A number of forms have been selected for their ornamental value, several of them are variegated and these are used especially as ground cover plants for dry shade[4]. A purple-leafed form, 'Atropurpurea' does well in full sun so long as the soil is not dry[8]. A good bee and butterfly plant[10].

References

  1. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

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  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2

  6. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

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  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  10. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  11. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  12. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2

  13. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

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  14. Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9

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  15. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

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  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  17. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  18. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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