Downy woundwort  (Stachys germanica)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

This upright herb is densely covered in long, white silky hairs, which give the plant a silvery greyish-green appearance (hence the common name) (2). The flowers occur in a series of whorls up the stem, are pink or pinkish-purple in colour and are about 12-16 mm long, with an upper and lower lip(2). The silky leaves were once used for dressing wounds, and the plant was also thought to relieve stomach pains and menstruation problems (2). The first record of this plant in Britain appeared in Gerard's Herball of 1633, at this time the plant was known as 'Wilde Stingking Horehound' (2).

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