PRUNELLAL.SELFHEAL

PRUNELLAL. - SELFHEAL

Scientific Description:

Perennial herbs. Leaves entire, dentate, pinnatilobed to pinnatisect. Inflorescence a dense ovoid or oblong terminal spike; verticillasters usually 6-flowered. Bracts suborbicular, not leaf-like; bracteoles absent. Calyx tubular-campanulate, 2-lipped, 10-veined or with reticulate venation, ± closed in fruit; upper lip 3-dentate, lower divided to middle into 2 lanceolate lobes. Corolla 2-lipped, exserted from calyx, throat with ring of hairs within; upper lip erect, concave-hooded, entire; lower lip 3-lobed, middle lobe concave, dentate. Stamens 4, exserted, lower pair longer; filaments divided at apex, one branch bearing 2 divergent anther thecae, the other forming a short ± curved subulate appendage. Style branches equal. Nutlets ovoid to elliptic, base with acute white caruncle, apex obtuse.

Reference:

Edmondson JR (1982). Prunella L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 7: 295.

Public Description:

Prunella is a genus of perennial herbs, known as “selfheals”, and is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. There are 13 species in the world and 4 species (4 taxa) in Türkiye. All parts of the selfheals are used for the treatment of cuts and inflammations. Some species are used in herbal drinks and salads.

References:

Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunella_(plant), Accessed date: 16.02.2016.

Anonymous 2 (2016). https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/genus/prunella/, Accessed date: 16.02.2016.

Anonymous 3 (2016). http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Lamiaceae/Prunella/, Accessed date: 16.02.2016.

Dirmenci T (2012). Prunella L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 574.