Ajuga reptans - Bugle rampante

Habitat

Exposition

Toutes expositions

Humidité

Pas dans l'eau. Tolère la sécheresse.

Sol

Tous sols.

pH

Sol acide ou calcaire

Rusticité

Zone 6

Habitat originel

Damp grassy fields and damp woods[7, 13, 17].

Origine géographique

Most of Europe, including Britain, to S.W. Asia and N. Africa.

Dangers connus

• The plant is said to be a narctic hallucinogen that is known to have caused fatalities [274].

Comestibilité

• Jeunes pousses - crues [7].

Usages médicinaux

• 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].

Autres usages

• 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].

Culture

• 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

• Graines - semez au printemps ou à l'automne sous chassis .
• 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 .