The Common Bugle is a low-growing plant, very frequently found in open
woods, banks, and pastures. It blooms in spring and early summer.
You will not think this a very attractive plant. The leaves and flowers
are crowded together from top to bottom of the main stem. The stem is
pale purple, and has four sides. It is hollow in the centre, and breaks
off easily because it is soft and juicy.
The flowers grow without stalks in circles close to the stem wherever
the leaves join it, and each circle is close to the one above it.
In every flower there is a slender tube, and one half of this tube folds
over at the mouth into three lips, the centre lip having a notch in the
middle. The other half of the tube stands erect.
These flowers are usually deep blue, but you may find them purple, or
rose colour, or even white. They are never yellow.
Four golden-headed stamens stand up a good way beyond the mouth of the
flower; two of these are short and two are much longer. The forked tip
of the seed-vessel can be seen among these stamens.
The end of each tube stands in a small green calyx-cup edged with
pointed teeth.
The leaves of the Common Bugle are dark green, and each pair clasps the
stem closely at the bottom.