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Stachys officinalis
  • Wood Betony

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Stachys officinalis has 0 edible uses listed
Stachys officinalis has 0 material uses listed
Stachys officinalis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The leaves and flowering tops make a good tea substitute. Refreshing and aromatic[1][2][3], it has all the good qualities of tea without the negative ones[4].

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

A fine yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[4].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Wood betony was at one time commonly used as a medicinal plant in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, especially as a nervine and tonic for treating maladies of the head and as an external application to wounds[4][5][6]. It also stimulates the digestive system and the liver, having an overall tonic effect upon the body[7]. Wood betony is much less used nowadays, and more often forms part of a mixture of herbs[4].

The whole plant is collected when in flower in the summer and can be dried for later use[4][7]. It is anthelmintic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, mildly cathartic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, mildly emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine, sedative, sternutatory, tonic and vulnerary[4][8][9][1][10][11]. It is taken in the treatment of 'frayed nerves', pre-menstrual complaints, poor memory and tension[7]. It can be taken in combination with herbs such as comfrey, Symphytum officinale, and lime flowers, Tilia species, to treat sinus headaches and congestion[7]. Wood betony can be taken on its own, or with yarrow, Achillea millefolium, to staunch nosebleeds[7]. A pinch of the powdered herb will provoke violent sneezing and it has been used as part of a herbal snuff mixture in the treatment of headaches[4].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant[8]. It is used in the treatment of asthma and excessive perspiration[8].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Antiseptic
Astringent
Carminative
Cathartic
Cholagogue
Digestive
Diuretic
Emetic
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Homeopathy
Nervine
Sedative
Sternutatory
Tonic
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Very easy, the plant can be successfully divided at almost any time of the year. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Stachys officinalis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a light moist neutral to acid soil in sun or light shade[5][12][6]. A characteristic plant of healthy roadside banks on heavy soils[13].

Hardy to at least -25°c[13]. At one time bugle was often cultivated for its medicinal virtues, though it is now little used[4]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[14].

An excellent bee plant[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Stachys officinalis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Stachys officinalis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Stachys officinalis
Genus
Stachys
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[4][5][6][7][8][9][1][10][11]
Material uses & Functions
[4]
Botanic
[12][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x 0.45 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.004.014.024.034.044.054.064.074.084.094.10 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    11. ? 11.011.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    14. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    15. ? Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
    16. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    "image:Betonica officinalis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Stachys_officinalis&oldid=81088"
    Facts about "Stachys officinalis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusStachys +
    Has binomial nameStachys officinalis +
    Has common nameWood Betony +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useTea +
    Has fertility typeBees +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageBetonica officinalis.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width0.45 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antiseptic +, Astringent +, Carminative +, Cathartic +, Cholagogue +, Digestive +, Diuretic +, Emetic +, Emmenagogue +, Expectorant +, Homeopathy +, Nervine +, Sedative +, Sternutatory +, Tonic + and Vulnerary +
    Has primary imageBetonica officinalis.jpg +
    Has search namestachys officinalis + and wood betony +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Heavy clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameStachys officinalis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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