HEDGE WOUNDWORT.-->S'/r/%s- 



sylvaiica» 



Class DiDYNAMiA. Ordej- Gymnospermia. Nat. Ord. Labiatjr. 

 Labiate Tribe. 



This plant is very frequent in woods and 

 shady places during July and August, rearing 

 its spike of purple flowers sometimes to the 

 height of three feet. When bruised it has a 

 disagreeable odour, and no animal is known 

 to eat it, save the snail, which often leaves its 

 rainbow-tinted trail upon its foliage. The 

 flowers grow in whorls round the stem, and 

 are usually about six in number. This, as 

 well as all the other species, was considered to 

 be of great service in stopping the effusion 

 of blood. Gerarde says of the water species 

 {Stacliys pah'sfris), that by binding it over 

 the wound, he cured a man in Kent, who 

 had been severely cut with a scythe; and 

 that he also healed a wound made by one in 

 Holborn, who had attempted self-destruction ; 

 "for which," adds the pious herbalist, "the 

 name of God be praised." It was hence called 

 Clowne's Woundwort and All-heal. The Hedge 

 Woundwort is very hairy, though less so than 

 some other of our native kinds. The hair or 



