Teucrium scorodonia - L.

Common Name

Wood Sage

Family

Lamiaceae

USDA hardiness

5-9

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Dry, not strongly calcareous, soils in woodlands, grassland, heaths and dunes[4, 17]. Also found on lime-free moorland soils[200].

Range

W. Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Portugal, Italy, Croatia and Germany.

Edibility Rating

(1 of 5)

Other Uses

(0 of 5)

Weed Potential

Medicinal Rating

(2 of 5)

Care (info)


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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Teucrium scorodonia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The plant resembles hops in taste and flavour[4]. An infusion of the leaves and flowers is used as a hop substitute for flavouring beer in some areas[2, 4, 183]. It is said to clear the beer more quickly than hops, but imparts too much colour to the brew[4].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Alterative Appetizer Astringent Carminative Diaphoretic Diuretic Emmenagogue Skin
Tonic Vulnerary

The herb is alterative, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic and vulnerary[4, 61, 165]. It is harvested in July and can be dried for later use[4]. The herb is often used in domestic herbal practice in the treatment of skin afflictions, diseases of the blood, fevers, colds etc[4]. It is an appetizer of the first order and is equal to gentian root as a tonic[4].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good soil and almost any situation[1, 4]. Once established, this is a drought resistant plant, succeeding in dry shade[190].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[113]. 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[1]. 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[113].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway (south), Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland (west), Former Yugoslavia (west), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Portugal (Madeira Islands), Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Teucrium canadense	American Germander, Canada germander, Western germander	Perennial	1.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	0	1	0
Teucrium chamaedrys	Wall Germander, Germander	Shrub	0.3	5-9	S	LMH	SN	DM	1	2	3
Teucrium marum	Cat Thyme	Shrub	0.3	8-11		LMH	N	DM	0	2
Teucrium massiliense		Shrub	1.0	5-9		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Teucrium polium		Shrub	0.2	6-9		LMH	N	DM	1	1
Teucrium scordium	Water Germander	Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	SN	M	0	1	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Kate Fewx	Mon Jan 18 2010

I looked up this herb on your site because it is mentioned in the original "Back to Eden" by Jethro Kloss. (This book was popularized by John Lust of the school of the American School of Natureopathy in 1896.) "Common Name: Garlic sage...Will promote appetite. Good external wash to cleanse old sres, combined with chickweed. Makes an excellent poultice for cancer and tumors combined with comfrey and ragwort. This will very often cure. Very useful in palsy, quinsy, sore throats, colds, fevers, kidney an bladder troubles. Increases urine flow and menstrual flow."