Practical
Plants

Teucrium polium

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Teucrium genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.2 m
Spread
0.2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Edible uses

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

The plant is mixed with boiled water and sugar to form a refreshing beverage[3]. The plant is used as a spice[3].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea

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.

A liquid extract of the plant has been used in the treatment of fungal diseases and abscesses[6].

Product or use
Antifungal

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean to W. Asia.
Habitat
A variable species with a number of sub-species growing in a variety of habitats from sandy places near the sea to mountain ranges.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
neutral, 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 well-drained soil in full sun[5]. Plants require a very well-drained soil[4]. Requires an alkaline soil[5]. A very variable species with a number of distinct sub-species. The bruised foliage releases a pleasant aromatic scent[7]. Plants are sub-shrubs, retaining a woody base but the stems often dying back in the winter[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. 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

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  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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