Self-Heal

A common perennial weed of turf surfaces, especially those which have lower maintenance inputs or neglected surfaces. It spreads by short creeping runners. It has sparsely hairy oval shaped leaves, with a stalk at the base. The leaf margin might be smooth in appearance but also with very finely toothed edges on closer inspection. It prefers neutral to alkaline soils; a moist soil and will tolerate light levels of shade. It flowers during June to October, with purple coloured flowers. Its scientific name is Prunella vulgaris.