83 WAYSIDE AND WOODLAND BLOSSOMS. 



only British member of the genus ; but a very large number of 

 foreign species are cultivated in our gardens, where they are 

 quite hardy. 

 The name is from the Greek Klema, a vine-twig. 



The Self-Heal (Brunella vulgaris). 



A perennial herb of the wayside and the damp pasture, that 

 has fallen upon evil days, so far as reputation is concerned. 

 Time was when it was considered one of the most useful 

 medicines for inward and outward wounds. Culpepper says " he 

 needeth neither physician nor surgeon that hath Self-heal and 

 Sanicle to help himself," and he prints that sentence in italics, 

 to impress it more firmly upon his readers. On this account it 

 was called Carpenter's Herb, Hook-heal, Sickle-wort, and 

 Prunella. The last is a softened form of Brunella, from the 

 German Brdune (quinsy), because it was believed to cure that 

 complaint. Its reputation has passed, but the names remain, 

 and one has been adopted as its scientific appellation. 



There is a suggestion of the Bugle in its general appearance, 

 but seen together (see page 21) there is no danger of mistaking 

 them. In Ajuga the whorls are far apart, in Brunella they are 

 contracted into a dense head. The corolla here is broader, the 

 upper lip erect and vaulted, whilst in Ajuga it is short and 

 notched. 



The plant has the square stem, lipped flowers, and four 

 stamens, characteristic of the Labiate order, a creeping root- 

 stock, and stalked leaves ; these are long, oval, toothed, or 

 with entire margins. The bracts of the flower-spike have purple 

 edges. Leaves and stem more or less hairy ; flowers purple, 

 sometimes white or crimson. July to September. Occasion- 

 ally small flowers are produced later, in which the anthers are 

 suppressed, but the pistil is perfect. 



This is the only British member of the genus, whose name 

 has been explained above. 



