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Common Name: Wall Germander

General Information

Teucrium chamaedrys is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.30 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain[].

Habitat

Sunny, rather dry places on waste ground and rocky outcrops[], mainly on limestone soils[] Naturalized on old walls in Britain[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.30 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any moderately good soil in sun or light shade[]. Prefers a dry calcareous soil and a sunny position[, ].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -29°c[].
Wall germander was at one time widely cultivated as a medicinal plant, though it is seldom use at present[]. It is a very ornamental plant, making a good edging for the border and able to be lightly clipped[]. The fresh leaves are bitter and pungent to the taste, when rubbed they emit a strong odour somewhat resembling garlic[].
This species is often confused in gardens with T. divaricatum and T. x lucidrys. It is important to ensure that you have the correct plant if using it medicinally[].
Cut off dead flower spikes when the plant has finished flowering in order to encourage bushy new growth[].
A good bee plant[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

The plant is widely used in making alcoholic drinks with a bitter base, which have digestive or appetite-promoting qualities[].

Medicinal

Wall germander is a specific for the treatment of gout[], it is also used for its diuretic properties, and as a treatment for weak stomachs and lack of appetite[]. It has also been taken as an aid to weight loss and is a common ingredient in tonic wines[]. Some caution is advised when using this plant internally, it can cause liver damage[]
The whole herb is anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, aperient, aromatic, astringent, bitter, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[, , , , , ]. It is harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[, ]. It is used externally as an astringent infusion on the gums and also in the treatment of wounds[].

Other Uses

Amenable to light trimming so can be grown as a low edging border in the garden[]. Any trimming is best done in the spring[].
The plant contains 0.6% of an essential oil[].
Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 30cm apart each way[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in the following spring.
Division in early spring[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].