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Betony
Geranium robertianum. Theme - Wild Flowers
Betony WF07
 
 
Betony
Betony (Stachys officinalis, Betonica officinalis) 
MINT FAMILY 

A native perennial, Betony is found on heaths, woods, and grasslands in England and Wales, but it is rare in Scotland and Ireland. A medicinal herb, Betony was used for a large number of complaints, and was also used to protect against witchcraft. It is also one of those confusing examples where there are two scientific names in modern books. Stachys officinalis is the front runner because it is in the BSBI database. 

Flower: Little to big cluster or spike up to several cm height of little (12 - 18 mm long) red lipped cylindrical flowers 
Leaves: Oval, slightly stalked, with bluntly serrated edges, mainly in basal rossette. 
Habitat: Heaths, open woods, grasslands 
Height to about 50cm 
Typically flowering: July-September. 
 

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