Teucrium chamaedrys
Wall Germander
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Teucrium genus in the family Labiatae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is widely used in making alcoholic drinks with a bitter base, which have digestive or appetite-promoting qualities[17]. There are no edible uses listed for Teucrium chamaedrys.
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.
Wall germander is a specific for the treatment of gout[12], it is also used for its diuretic properties, and as a treatment for weak stomachs and lack of appetite[16]. It has also been taken as an aid to weight loss and is a common ingredient in tonic wines[10]. Some caution is advised when using this plant internally, it can cause liver damage[8] The whole herb is anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, aperient, aromatic, astringent, bitter, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[12][14][16][13][3][9]. It is harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[12][10]. It is used externally as an astringent infusion on the gums and also in the treatment of wounds[14].
- Product or use
- Antiinflammatory
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Aperient
- Product or use
- Aromatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Bitter
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Stimulant
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Amenable to light trimming so can be grown as a low edging border in the garden[6]. Any trimming is best done in the spring[5]. The plant contains 0.6% of an essential oil[14]. Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 30cm apart each way[7].
- Product or use
- Essential
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain[4].
- Habitat
- Sunny, rather dry places on waste ground and rocky outcrops[14], mainly on limestone soils[15] Naturalized on old walls in Britain[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in the following spring. Division in early spring[1]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[2].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any moderately good soil in sun or light shade[11]. Prefers a dry calcareous soil and a sunny position[14][16]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -29°c[8]. Wall germander was at one time widely cultivated as a medicinal plant, though it is seldom use at present[12]. It is a very ornamental plant, making a good edging for the border and able to be lightly clipped[6]. The fresh leaves are bitter and pungent to the taste, when rubbed they emit a strong odour somewhat resembling garlic[12]. This species is often confused in gardens with T. divaricatum and T. x lucidrys. It is important to ensure that you have the correct plant if using it medicinally[8]. Cut off dead flower spikes when the plant has finished flowering in order to encourage bushy new growth[8]. A good bee plant[11]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)