Prunella Vulgaris Vs. Prunella

Prunella Vulgaris

• Prunella vulgaris is a low-growing perennial that may be found growing wild in most of the parts of the United States. This variety of prunella goes by the name heal-all, which has a similar meaning to self-heal. Prunella vulgaris tends to spread along the ground but its stems can grow vertically up to 2 feet. The flowers are light blue to purple and grow on the ends of the stems. The flower spire is tube shaped and covered in tiny little florets, which grow from spring to the end of summer. Heal-all is considered so widespread it has been labeled a weed in many areas.

Other Prunella species.

• Prunella grandiflora is the large-leaved variety of prunella. It will grow only 7 to 10 inches tall and spreads out to 2 feet quickly. The plant blooms longer into autumn than the other prunella species and the flower heads are rounded and larger. Prunella x webbiana is a hybrid species with a medium size and slightly less cold hardiness than P. vulgaris. It is called the purple ornamental prunella and comes in white, pink, lavender and violet colors. Prunella laciniata is the lowest and smallest of the Prunella species. It will only get 3 to 6 inches off the ground and has tiny leaves. The 8- to 12-inch flower blossoms may be white, pink or purple.

All Prunella

• All prunella spread from stolons or vertical stems, which root at internodes. This not only makes the plant larger, but each rooted piece can be removed and planted elsewhere to start a new plant. All the prunella have the same shape of flower spire and bloom spring through summer. The plants all have the same healing compound in the leaves and juvenile stems which are square. All prunella species produce little nutlets or seeds in the cavity of the flower spire where the florets bloom.

Differences

• Prunella vulgaris has leaves which mature to a crinkly texture. The other species have flat, smooth leaves. The stems of Prunella vulgaris are tinged red, while the other species have green to purple stems. Prunella vulgaris also tends to have slightly hairy leaves and stems. The other species of prunella rarely get more than a foot tall. Prunella vulgaris is an exception with a possible 2 foot height. Each species has slight differences in the size of the plant and flowers, the color of the blooms which range in tone from blue, lavender and purple, and the size of the leaves and amount of cutting in the foliage.