Germander

Germander is the common name for plants in the genus Teucrium, a group of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Most species are herbaceous perennials or small shrubs with opposite, aromatic leaves and square stems. The flowers are arranged in terminal spikes or whorls and are bilabiate, often pink, violet, purple, or white.

Notable species include Teucrium chamaedrys (wall germander), Teucrium canadense (American germander), Teucrium marum (cat thyme), and Teucrium fruticans (tree germander). The genus is distributed across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with many Mediterranean species. Germanders are grown as ornamentals in borders, rock gardens, and sometimes hedges.

Cultivation: They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and are drought-tolerant once established. They can be evergreen in mild climates. Propagation is by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. In cultivation, they require good drainage to prevent root rot and may suffer in heavy, wet soils.

Uses and safety: In addition to ornamental use, several germander species have been employed in traditional herbal medicine. Some contain hepatotoxic compounds, and internal use can cause liver injury. Therefore, ingestion is not recommended and medicinal use should be guided by a professional. Garden varieties pose little risk when grown as ornamentals and handled normally.