Family: Lamiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 581 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Stachys
Vegetable: False
Observations: Canary Is., Europe to Caucasus
Description
Downy woundwort, scientifically known as Stachys germanica, is a distinctive herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. It was first described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, abbreviated as L.
This perennial herb is notable for its densely hairy appearance, a characteristic that earns it the common name “downy woundwort.” The plant is indigenous to a broad geographical range that extends from the Canary Islands across Europe and reaches as far as the Caucasus region. This widespread distribution demonstrates the plant’s adaptability to various climatic conditions and soil types.
Stachys germanica is often found in habitats that provide ample sunlight, such as open fields, grasslands, and rocky terrains. Its ability to thrive in diverse environments contributes to its resilience and persistence in the wild.
The leaves of downy woundwort are typically gray-green and covered with a soft, woolly layer of fine hairs, an attribute that not only gives the plant its downy appearance but also helps in reducing water loss. The stems are square-shaped, a common trait within the Lamiaceae family, and the plant produces small, tubular flowers that are usually pink or purplish in hue, arranged in dense, whorled clusters along the stems.
Historically, downy woundwort has been utilized in traditional medicine, with its common name hinting at its application in healing wounds and sores. The plant’s leaves and stems contain a variety of bioactive compounds that have been used for their antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Overall, downy woundwort is a fascinating plant with significant ecological and medicinal value. Its widespread occurrence across different continents underscores its ecological importance, while its medicinal uses highlight its relevance in traditional herbal practices. The botanical characteristics and historical background make Stachys germanica a remarkable subject of study and appreciation in the field of botany.
Common Names
Deu: deutscher ziest
Dan: filtet galtetand
Eng: german hedgenettle, downy woundwort, german hedge-nettle, downy hedge-nettle
Nob: kranssvinerot
Nno: kranssvinerot
Swe: luddsyska
Nld: duitse andoorn
Fra: épiaire d’allemagne
Cym: briwlys pannog, briwlys tewbannog
En: Downy woundwort, German hedgenettle, German hedge-nettle, Downy hedge-nettle, German Stachys
Da: Filtet galtetand
Nl: Duitse andoorn
Fr: Épiaire d’Allemagne, Épiaire blanche, Sauge molle
De: Deutscher Ziest
It: Stregona germanica
Nb: Kranssvinerot
Nn: Kranssvinerot
Sv: Luddsyska
Cy: Briwlys Pannog, Briwlys Tewbannog
Synonyms
- Stachys tomentosa (Gaterau)
- Leonurus germanica ((L.) Gueldenst.)
- Eriostomum germanicum ((L.) Hoffmanns. & Link)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Krym (native)
- Morocco (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Florida (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Fomenok Anton (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 23, 2021 by Daniele Caccia (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2018 by katerinatzoy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Andrei Contiu (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2018 by katerinatzoy (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 9, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 9, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 21, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 21, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Andrei Contiu (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2020 by Zioivan Beirut (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 21, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Andrei Contiu (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Bark
Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jun 16, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2006 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 17, 2013 by EOL − Valter Jacinto (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 26, 2022 by Stefana Popova (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 4, 2018 by Alain Chanu (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2020 by wistaria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 14, 2019 by Bugallo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Sep 9, 2009 by EOL − Jan Ševčík (public)
Other
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 19, 1872 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:459557-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2927297)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Stachys germanica L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 7.5
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 3
Soil nutriments: 5