Ajuga reptans
| Ajuga reptans | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |    |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Meadows Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Ajuga reptans (common name: bugle)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 10°c[1], though it can be erratic[2]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer[K].
Division of runners at almost any time of year. Very easy, the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.
Cultivation: Prefers a humus-rich, moisture retentive soil and partial shade[3][4][5]. Does well in marshy soil and in the spring meadow[6]. Grows well in dry shade[7][8] and is fairly drought tolerant once established, though it shows distress in severe drought[8].
Plants do not always ripen their seeds in Britain, they spread freely by runners, however, and soon form an extensive patch in suitable conditions[9].
A number of forms have been selected for their ornamental value, several of them are variegated and these are used especially as ground cover plants for dry shade[7]. A purple-leafed form, 'Atropurpurea' does well in full sun so long as the soil is not dry[10].
A good bee and butterfly plant[6].
Range: Most of Europe, including Britain, to S.W. Asia and N. Africa.
Habitat: Damp grassy fields and damp woods[11][12][13].
Edibility: Young shoots - raw[11].
Medicinal: Bugle has a long history of use as a wound herb and, although little used today, it is still considered very useful in arresting haemorrhages and is also used in the treatment of coughs and spitting of blood in incipient consumption[9][14][15]. The plant contains digitalis-like substances (these are commonly found in Digitalis species and are used in treating heart complaints) and is thought to possess heart tonic properties[15]. It has also been considered good for the treatment of excessive alcohol intake[9].
The whole plant is aromatic, astringent and bitter[9][11][16]. The plant is usually applied externally[11]. It is harvested as it comes into flower in late spring and dried for later use[9][11]. It is also commonly used fresh in ointments and medicated oils[2].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole plant. It is widely used in various preparations against throat irritations and especially in the treatment of mouth ulcers[11].
Usage: A good ground-cover for a position in semi-shade[5], forming a carpet and rooting as it spreads[10]. Fairly fast growing but it does not always smother out weeds and can become bare at the centre if not growing in good conditions[17].
Pollinators: Bees, lepidoptera, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The plant is said to be a narctic hallucinogen that is known to have caused fatalities[18].
Links
References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Knight, F. P.. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society, 1980.
- ↑ Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Stuart, Malcolm. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Orbis Publishing, 1979.
- ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.
- ↑ Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.