Research Grade Species 1260: Prunella vulgaris, Common Self-heal
This year I gave myself the task of making an observation of the first time I saw every wild plant in bloom. This will help build data about early blooming of various plants in my area, and is helping build my memory for wild plants. I can't guarantee I'll remember all of them, but if I remember one new one per year that will be a victory.
This one I encountered on Monday July 5th in the Hancock Woods, a narrow ribbon of forest between West Roxbury (Boston) and Brookline. Alexis and I were braving the mosquitoes for a quick dog walk, and I slowed us down by finding 7 plants and 5 mushrooms I wanted to document. I don't remember what I thought as I observed the self-heal, probably "Oh another weed mint with tiny purple flowers--looks a little different though."
Prunella vulgaris (Genus name for an obscure ailment it was historically a treatment for, species name: common) is found around the northern hemisphere, where indigenous folks made note of its edibility and potential medicine value. The common names self-heal and heal-all seem fairly aspirational to me, but perhaps it helps support the immune system. Studies have shown it to be loaded with phytochemicals that have therapeutic uses, so the herbalists are onto something.
Like most members of the mint family it can be used to make a beverage, although it has no minty smell. The whole above-root plant can be boiled as an edible green, and young leaves can be eaten raw. Medicinal concoctions are available online, or you could just look for it in a grassy clearing in the forest.
