Hedge Woundwort

Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvetica)
A plant I had not noticed before but it seems to be quite prolific this year, perhaps because it favours damp situations. Since the days of the Ancient Greeks, woundworts have been used to treat wounds and stem bleeding. Modern experiments have shown that the volatile oil contained in hedge woundwort actually does have antiseptic properties.

A close up of the flower shows the attractive marking. The leaves of the plant give off a strong rather unpleasant odour when bruised or cut.