Teucrium chamaedrys
| Teucrium chamaedrys | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Teucrium chamaedrys (common name: wall germander)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in the following spring.
Division in early spring[2]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in any moderately good soil in sun or light shade[3]. Prefers a dry calcareous soil and a sunny position[4][5].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -29°c[6].
Wall germander was at one time widely cultivated as a medicinal plant, though it is seldom use at present[7]. It is a very ornamental plant, making a good edging for the border and able to be lightly clipped[8]. The fresh leaves are bitter and pungent to the taste, when rubbed they emit a strong odour somewhat resembling garlic[7].
This species is often confused in gardens with T. divaricatum and T. x lucidrys. It is important to ensure that you have the correct plant if using it medicinally[6].
Cut off dead flower spikes when the plant has finished flowering in order to encourage bushy new growth[6].
A good bee plant[3].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8].
Range: S. Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain[9].
Habitat: Sunny, rather dry places on waste ground and rocky outcrops[4], mainly on limestone soils[10] Naturalized on old walls in Britain[9].
Edibility: The plant is widely used in making alcoholic drinks with a bitter base, which have digestive or appetite-promoting qualities[4].
Medicinal: Wall germander is a specific for the treatment of gout[7], it is also used for its diuretic properties, and as a treatment for weak stomachs and lack of appetite[5]. It has also been taken as an aid to weight loss and is a common ingredient in tonic wines[11]. Some caution is advised when using this plant internally, it can cause liver damage[6]
The whole herb is anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, aperient, aromatic, astringent, bitter, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[7][4][5][12][13][14]. It is harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[7][11]. It is used externally as an astringent infusion on the gums and also in the treatment of wounds[4].
Usage: Amenable to light trimming so can be grown as a low edging border in the garden[8]. Any trimming is best done in the spring[15].
The plant contains 0.6% of an essential oil[4].
Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 30cm apart each way[16].
Pollinators: Bees, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: T. officinalis.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press, 1987.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.