Marsh Woundwort, Marsh hedgenettle
Stachys palustris

Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

What it is like

Stachys palustris is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

By streams and ditches, also in swamps and fens. Occasionally found on arable land.

Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway to Portugal and temperate Asia to Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Tubers - raw or cooked. A wholesome and nutritious food, they have a pleasant mild nutty flavour. The tubers can be dried and ground into a powder that is used in making bread etc. The tubers are formed in the autumn. Although quite small, they are fairly smooth and produced in a reasonable quantity so are not too fiddly to utilize. Young shoots - cooked. Used as an asparagus substitute. A pleasant taste but the smell is disagreeable. Seed. No further details are given.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The plant is antiseptic, antispasmodic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, haemostatic, nervine, sedative, tonic, vulnerary. The plant has been highly valued for its wound-healing activity, being effective against both internal and external bleeding, and is also used in the treatment of gout, cramps and pains in the joints. The herb is harvested in the summer when just coming into flower and can be dried for later use.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.

Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.

Other

Rating: 1

A yellow dye is obtained from the plant.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Requires a moist soil for good root production. A good bee plant. All parts of the plant emit an unpleasant smell when bruised. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length.

Propagating it: 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. 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.

Best place to grow: Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Avoid during pregnancy & breast feeding .

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Stachys aquatica Bubani. Stachys austriaca Heynh. Stachys maeotica Postrig.