Practical
Plants

Galeopsis segetum

Downy Hemp Nettle

an annual member of the Galeopsis genus in the family Labiatae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, 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.

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, many other members of this genus are said to be poisonous, causing paralysis[3].

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.

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

The flowering plant is astringent, diuretic and mildly expectorant[4]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of whooping cough, bronchitis, tracheitis etc[4]. The plant is harvested in the summer and can be used fresh or dried[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[4]. It is used to treat disorders of the spleen[4].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Homeopathy

Environment

Range
W. Europe, including Britain, from Denmark to Germany and Spain.
Habitat
Fields, meadows and waste places[4][1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in situ[2]. Germination usually takes place within a month.

Cultivation

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

Grows in most soils, disliking heavy shade. This plant is sometimes grown in the wild garden[2].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

Edit this page