Stachys palustris – Marsh Woundwort – Lamb’s ears (Betonica – Italiano)

Habitat

Lamb’s ears is found by streams and ditches, also in damp swampy areas and found on  around arable land

Characteristics

Stachys palustris is a PERENNIAL that grows to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is hardy not susceptible to frost. It lowers from July to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite. and are pollinated by Bees.It is noted for attracting wildlife

Edible parts

The Tubers can be eaten raw or cooked. And are extremely nutritious food, they have a pleasant mild nutty flavour and can be dried and ground into a powder that is used in making bread etc. The tubers grow in the autumn when they are quite small, they are fairly smooth and produced in a reasonable quantity so are not too fiddly to harvest and deal with.
Young shoots and leaves are cooked and Used as an asparagus substitute. A pleasant taste but the smell is a bit offputting.

Medicinal

Lamb’s ears is used as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, haemostatic, nerve sedative, tonic.The plant has been highly valued for its wound-healing activity, being effective against both internal and external bleeding, and is also used in the treatment of gout, cramps and pains in the joints. The herb is harvested in the summer when just coming into flower and can be dried for later use

Care

Avoid during pregnancy & breast feeding