Photographs: Co. Cork

Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica Créachtlus Family: Lamiaceae Flowering time: July-September. Perennial. Native. Terminal spikes of deep red-purple flowers with a white lip pattern. Most fruit ripens. The hairy leaves are heart-shaped and pointed. All leaves are stalked and similar to nettle leaves but without stinging hairs. The whole plant has a distinctive, pungent smell when bruised. Height 30-80cm Very frequent in woods, hedgebanks and on roadsides. Similar:Marsh Woundwort, S. palustris has paler flowers and lanceolate leaves. Hybrids between the two species occur: Stachys x ambigua

Hedge Woundwort, Stachys sylvatica, Créachtlus