Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris
Self heal
Photo: parent species Prunella vulgaris · (c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris (Self heal) is a non-native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by One sympatric species; distinguished primarily by non-native status and preference for disturbed habitats.
Self heal is a naturalized perennial found in northern California Coast, California Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, central and southern California Coast, and North Coast Ranges in moist, disturbed sites at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces purple to blue flowers in dense, compact terminal clusters. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with ascending or spreading stems that are softly hairy, it forms a low, spreading ground cover. Its opposite leaves are oblong to elliptical, 2 to 7 centimeters long, with entire or slightly toothed margins and a soft, slightly fuzzy texture. Originally native to Europe, this adaptable plant thrives in a variety of disturbed and moist habitats throughout California.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: One sympatric species; distinguished primarily by non-native status and preference for disturbed habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, disturbed sites
Elevation: < 2500 m
California counties: San Francisco, Del Norte, Butte, San Joaquin, Alameda, Humboldt, Sonoma, Plumas, San Mateo, Ventura, El Dorado, Santa Cruz, Monterey
Outside California: eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Prunella has dense cylindrical spikes; Salvia has loosely arranged flowers along the stem.; vs Stachys: Prunella flowers are tightly packed into one terminal spike; Stachys flowers are in separated whorls.; vs Ajuga: Prunella forms dense cylindrical spikes; Ajuga has flowers in loose whorls along stem.; vs Mentha: Prunella has one terminal spike; Mentha has multiple rounded clusters stacked up the stem.; vs Penstemon: Prunella has square stems and opposite leaves; Penstemon has round stems and opposite leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris native to California?
No. Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris bloom?
Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris grow?
Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris occurs in San Francisco, Del Norte, Butte, San Joaquin, Alameda, Humboldt, Sonoma, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of < 2500 m.
What plant family does Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris belong to?
Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Prunella.
What habitat does Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris grow in?
Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris grows in Moist, disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.