This purple lawn weed is popping up everywhere right now
iNaturalist Community
Foraging
That low-growing patch of purple flowers dotting your lawn or the trail edge isn't just a weed to mow over: it's common selfheal, an edible and traditionally medicinal plant currently in peak bloom across many regions.
Common selfheal is a small plant with purple flower spikes that grows in lawns, meadows, and along paths almost everywhere. Right now over a thousand people have logged sightings of it on iNaturalist in a single week, which means it's blooming heavily and is easy to spot on your next walk. People have used it for centuries in teas and salves, and it's a great one to learn to identify since it's so common and harmless.
Key Findings
1021 research-grade observations of Prunella vulgaris logged in one week, making it one of the most-observed plant species on iNaturalist currently
The species is widespread across lawns, meadows, and disturbed ground, contributing to its high observation volume
Peak observation timing suggests the plant is in active summer bloom across much of its range
chevron_right Technical Summary
Common selfheal is having a big week on iNaturalist, with over a thousand people spotting and logging this small purple-flowered plant. It's a signal that this tough, edible, medicinal weed is blooming widely right now and easy to find almost anywhere.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Trending: common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) — 1021 observations this week
common selfheal is among the most observed plant species this week with 1021 research-grade observations.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Prunella vulgaris, the common self-heal, heal-all, woundwort, heart-of-the-earth, carpenter's herb, brownwort or blue curls, is an herbaceous flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae).