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Ajuga reptans

Common name: Bugle Family: Labiatae
Author: L. Botanical references: 17, 200
Synonyms:  
Known Hazards: The plant is said to be a narctic hallucinogen that is known to have caused fatalities[274].
Range: Most of Europe, including Britain, to S.W. Asia and N. Africa.
Habitat: Damp grassy fields and damp woods[7, 13, 17].
Edibility Rating (1-5): 2Medicinal Rating (1-5):3

Other Common Names:From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
Ajuga [H], Bugle [E,L], Bugleweed [H], Bugula [E], Carpenter's Herb [H], Carpet Bugle [L], Carpet Bugleweed [H], Common Bugle [H,P,B], Kruipend Zenegroen [D], Maya Silotu [E], Middle Comfrey [H], Sicklewort [H],
Epithets:From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
reptans = creeping;
Systematics:From a USDA Plants Database
Order: Lamiales. Renamed to Lamiaceae -- Mint family
Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany Database
Britain(Wales); Spain; Turkey

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen perennial growing to 0.3m by 0.6m . It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees and Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Meadow, Bog Garden, Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Deep Shade, Ground Cover.

Edible Uses

Leaves.

Young shoots - raw[7].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Aromatic; Astringent; Bitter; Homeopathy.

Bugle has a long history of use as a wound herb and, although little used today, it is still considered very useful in arresting haemorrhages and is also used in the treatment of coughs and spitting of blood in incipient consumption[4, 254, 268]. The plant contains digitalis-like substances (these are commonly found in Digitalis species and are used in treating heart complaints) and is thought to possess heart tonic properties[268]. It has also been considered good for the treatment of excessive alcohol intake[4].
The whole plant is aromatic, astringent and bitter[4, 7, 9]. The plant is usually applied externally[7]. It is harvested as it comes into flower in late spring and dried for later use[4, 7]. It is also commonly used fresh in ointments and medicated oils[238].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole plant. It is widely used in various preparations against throat irritations and especially in the treatment of mouth ulcers[7].

We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.

Other Uses

Ground cover.

A good ground-cover for a position in semi-shade[200], forming a carpet and rooting as it spreads[208]. Fairly fast growing but it does not always smother out weeds and can become bare at the centre if not growing in good conditions[197].

Cultivation details

Prefers a humus-rich, moisture retentive soil and partial shade[28, 31, 200]. Does well in marshy soil and in the spring meadow[24]. Grows well in dry shade[187, 190] and is fairly drought tolerant once established, though it shows distress in severe drought[190].
Plants do not always ripen their seeds in Britain, they spread freely by runners, however, and soon form an extensive patch in suitable conditions[4].
A number of forms have been selected for their ornamental value, several of them are variegated and these are used especially as ground cover plants for dry shade[187]. A purple-leafed form, 'Atropurpurea' does well in full sun so long as the soil is not dry[208].
A good bee and butterfly plant[24].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 10°c[133], though it can be erratic[238]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer[K].
Division of runners at almost any time of year. Very easy, the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.

Cultivars

''
No entries have been made for this species as yet.

Suppliers

Plants For A Future is working with the following groups to try and make these plants easily available. Parts of the proceeds will be donated to   so please mention us when ordering.
Wildwood Nurseries
Lower Manor Cottage
Thornbury
Holsworthy
Devon
EX22 7DD
Email: lorna@macace.co.uk
Phone 01409 261324 Fax 01409 261324
Distribution: UK
How to order: Direct from Wildwood by email/phone
Last Updated: March 03
Item: Ajuga reptans (bugle)

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

PFAF Web Pages

This plant is mentioned in the following web pages

Web References

References for ajuga reptans (a possible synonym).

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.

[13] Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[24] Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.

[28] Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980 ISBN 0-900629-78-9
A small but informative booklet listing plants that can be grown in shady positions with a few cultivation details.

[31] Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

[133] Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[190] Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982 ISBN 0460045512
A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.

[197] Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989 ISBN 0-304-31089-1
A handy little booklet from the R.H.S.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

[268] Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979 ISBN 0-85613-067-2
Excellent herbal with good concise information on over 400 herbs.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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