A stately appearance it is. Like sentinels, they stand in groups along the forest path, as if to keep an eye on things. They tower above the vegetation, so you can see them from afar. Especially when they are in bloom. Hedge woundworts are quite conspicuous.
Yet most people just walk past them. It will be the common appearance. They remind you of some nettle, and that doesn't really bother you. Until you take a closer look, of course. Then the colours pop!
The flowers of lamiaceae remind me more of orchids. Even though they are not related at all, the flower shape shows strong similarities. And the patterns on the flowers usually bear so-called honey marks, sending pollinators to the stamens. Lamiaceae such as hedge woundworts usually attract bumblebees with this, in orchids it is often even one specific species of pollinator they specialise in.
There is not much wort on these hedge woundworts . They do have rough-haired leaves and stems, which are typical, along with the square stems. Like nettles, in other words. And admittedly, they don't smell nice either, quite the opposite in fact, especially when bruised or damaged. It must be some sort of defence mechanism. So walk quickly past them!
Maarten is a passionate hobby photographer with an eye for the world of the small. On his weekly blog www.natuurvertelsels he brings a new short story with facts and pictures about nature right in front of your nose every Sunday. He has already won numerous photo competitions with his images.. Read more…