Teucrium chamaedrys
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643feee36d23c726250736 |
| Scientific name | Teucrium chamaedrys |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 565 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Wall germander has long been gathered in Mediterranean Europe as a bitter tonic that was made as infusions or decoctions. In France and central Europe, herbalists prepared an herbal bitter tea from the dried leaves and aerial parts to stimulate digestion, usually from small doses brewed briefly; the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia listed “bitter tonic” infusions for T. chamaedrys, while French pharmacognosists documented its inclusion as a digestive tonic infusion in manuals such as Bruneton—pharmacognosie (2016). In sixteenth‑century Britain, Gerard’s Herbal (1597) described how the dried herb was steeped in hot water and given in a cup to “strengthen the stomach and expel wind,” while the pharmacopoeia of the German-speaking lands advised a bitter infusion to aid appetite and dyspepsia, recorded by Boerner (Boerner, Gartenbuch medizinischer Pflanzen, 1993). Across southern Europe, small quantities of the aerial parts were decocted as a bitter tonic for the same indications, as summarized by CRESON (The Conservation of European Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 2000). In Spain and Italy, herbalists occasionally prepared a poultice from the crushed herb for minor skin complaints, a use noted by Spanish folk-medicine surveys such as Vallès (2004).
For tinctures, the widely cited 1:5 ethanolic (45–60%) preparation has been used in European herbal practice: macerate 1 part of finely cut dried aerial parts in 5 parts of ethanol for 2 weeks, shake daily, then strain and press; the method is standard in European phytotherapy texts (ESCOP Monographs, 1996–2003). A digestive bitter tea is a gentler option: pour approximately 250–300 mL of just-off-the-boil water over 2–5 g of dried herb, steep 10–15 minutes, and strain; use short courses only and avoid in pregnancy and lactation due to documented hepatotoxic potential (CHMP, 2009). In all cases, respect dose limits and discontinue if nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, or dark urine appear, seeking medical advice promptly.
Well‑established phytochemicals include diterpenoid neoclerodanes such as teucrin A and teucrin E (Bisset, Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, 2001), iridoids such as verbascoside, and phenylpropanoid glycosides; these bitter constituents plausibly underlie the traditional digestive activity, while neoclerodanes are strongly implicated in the hepatotoxic risk reported for the plant. Modern relevance: European regulators restrict T. chamaedrys products and scientific reviews continue to warn against liver toxicity, yet it persists in small‑scale bitter formulations and in traditional herbal pharmacopeias where it remains a cautionary “bitter tonic” herb.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Teucrium chamaedrys is cultivated primarily as an ornamental perennial herb. Commercial nurseries sell live plants for use in low‑maintenance landscape designs, particularly as groundcover, in rock‑garden plantings, border edges, and container displays. The species is marketed under its common name “wall germander” and is propagated by seed or softwood cuttings for distribution to gardeners and landscape professionals in Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and increasingly in North America.
Properties relevant to use:
The plant reaches a height of 15–30 cm and forms a dense, woody rootstock that persists over many years. Its evergreen foliage is silvery‑green, softly hairy, and releases a lemon‑like scent when brushed, a trait attributed to low levels of monoterpenes (notably 1,8‑cineole and camphor). The drought‑tolerant habit thrives in well‑drained, calcareous soils and full sun to partial shade, making it suited for xeriscape and Mediterranean‑style gardens. Violet‑blue tubular flowers appear in early summer and attract pollinators, enhancing its ornamental value. The plant’s compact growth, aromatic foliage, and moderate salt tolerance collectively underpin its commercial appeal for landscaping and container horticulture.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Commercial production of Teucrium chamaedrys is entirely cultivated; no large‑scale wild harvesting is recorded. Nurseries produce plants from seed or cuttings under standard horticultural practices that minimize pesticide use and soil disturbance. Because the species is listed as “Least Concern” in the IUCN Red List, cultivation poses negligible risk to wild populations. Growers often source seeds from certified seed producers to maintain genetic purity and to comply with phytosanitary requirements, supporting a stable supply chain for the ornamental market.
Standards and regulation:
Trade of live Teucrium chamaedrys plants is subject to the same plant‑health regulations that govern ornamental perennials in the European Union (e.g., Council Directive 2000/29/EC) and the United States (USDA‑APHIS). Importers must obtain a phytosanitary certificate confirming freedom from quarantine pests and diseases. Within the EU, the plant is listed in the European Plant Variety Rights database, allowing plant breeders to protect newly developed cultivars. No specific food‑safety or cosmetic standards apply, as the species is not used as a food ingredient or in personal‑care products.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Teucrium veronicifolium | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 76 (1796) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys var. albiflorum | Bellynck | Fl. Namur 208. 1855 |
| Teucrium chamaedrys var. semiglaucum | Sennen | Diagn. Nouv. 85. 1936 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | wall germander |
| Spanish | yerba del carmesio |
| Spanish | encinilla |
| Spanish | germandria |
| Spanish | camedreo |
| Spanish | camédreo |
| Spanish | camedreos |
| Spanish | camedrios |
| ang | cymed |
| Arabic | كمادريوس |
| Arabic | طوقريون |
| Azerbaijani | adi məryəmnoxudu |
| azb | عادی مریم نوخودو |
| Bulgarian | обикновено подъбиче |
| Bulgarian | червено подъбиче |
| Catalan | germandrée petit-chêne |
| Catalan | alzineta |
| Czech | ožanka kalamandra |
| Welsh | chwerwlys y mur |
| Danish | Ædel-kortlæbe |
| Danish | Ædel kortlæbe |
| German | edel-gamander |
| German | echter gamander |
| German | edelgamander |
| German | germandrée petit-chêne |
| German | schafkraut |
| Basque | axario |
| Persian | مریم نخودی طناز |
| Finnish | tammiteurikka |
| French | germandrée petit-chêne |
| grc | χαμαίδρυς |
| Upper Sorbian | prawa dubčica |
| Hungarian | sarlós gamandor |
| ku | qeselmehmûd |
| Lithuanian | germandrée petit-chêne |
| Latvian | ozollapu embotiņš |
| Malayalam | ട്യൂക്രിയം ചമീഡ്രിസ് |
| Norwegian Bokmål | legefirtann |
| Dutch | echte gamander |
| Polish | ożanka właściwa |
| Russian | Дубравник обыкновенный |
| Russian | дубровник обыкновенный |
| sd | ڪماذريوس |
| Serbo-Croatian | podubica |
| Serbo-Croatian | dubčica |
| Serbo-Croatian | dubačac |
| Slovak | hrdobarka obyčajná |
| Serbian | Подубица |
| Serbian | Зубатац |
| Serbian | Дубчица |
| Serbian | Дубачац |
| Swedish | gamander |
| Swedish | germandrée petit-chêne |
| Turkish | dalak otu |
| Turkish | adi kısamahmut |
| Ukrainian | Самосил гайовий |
| Chinese | 粉花香科科 |
| Chinese | 欧香科科 |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. albarracinii | (Pau) Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 385 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys | Unknown | |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. germanicum | (F.Herm.) Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 379 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. gracile | (Batt.) Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 389 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. nuchense | (K.Koch) Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 370 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. pinnatifidum | (Sennen) Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 383 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. sinuatum | (Celak.) Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 378 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. syspirense | (K.Koch) Rech.f. | Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien 51: 427 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. trapezunticum | Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 369 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. algeriense | Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 364 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. lydium | O.Schwarz | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 36: 132 (1934) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. olympicum | Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 368 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. pectinatum | Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 366 (1941) |
| Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. tauricola | Rech.f. | Bot. Arch. 42: 376 (1941) |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Teucrium chamaedrys var. multinodum | Bordz. | Mat. Fl. Kavk. 4(3): 57 (1916) |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Morocco
- Tunisia
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Northern Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Caucasus
- North Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
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Middle Asia
- Turkmenistan
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Western Asia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon-Syria
- Turkey
-
Caucasus
-
Europe click to expand
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Eastern Europe
- Central European Russia
- Krym
- South European Russia
- Ukraine
-
Middle Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Switzerland
-
Northern Europe
- Great Britain
-
Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Romania
- Sicilia
- Turkey-in-Europe
- Yugoslavia
-
Southwestern Europe
- Baleares
- Corse
- France
- Portugal
- Sardegna
- Spain
-
Eastern Europe
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000321975 |
| UNII | SQ131ED9QD |
| USDA Plants | TECH4 |
| Tropicos | 17600394 |
| INPN | 125981 |
| Flora of Italy | 4435 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:460310-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-202772 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 281440 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 103721 |
| Observations.org | 2770 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 53176 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000004264 |
| IPNI | 460310-1 |
| iNaturalist | 55717 |
| GBIF | 6411747 |
| Freebase | /m/025xwwh |
| EPPO | TEUCH |
| EOL | 5365638 |
| US Library of Congress | sh85144909 |
| USDA GRIN | 314460 |
| Wikipedia | Teucrium_chamaedrys |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Diterpene lactones | |||||
| (2aR,4R,5'S,5aR,6S,7S,9S,9aR)-5'-(furan-3-yl)-4,9-dihydroxy-2a-(hydroxymethyl)-7-methylspiro[1,3,4,5,5a,7,8,9-octahydronaphtho[1,8a-b]oxete-6,3'-oxolane]-2'-one | 101982317 | Click to see | 378.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JO00173A068 |
| (3aS,5'S,6aS,7R,8R,10R,10aR)-5'-(furan-3-yl)-3a,10-dihydroxy-8-methylspiro[1,6,6a,8,9,10-hexahydrobenzo[d][2]benzofuran-7,3'-oxolane]-2',3-dione | 100619404 | Click to see CC1CC(C23COC(=O)C2(C=CCC3C14CC(OC4=O)C5=COC=C5)O)O | 374.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567849 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80487-2 |
| Dihydroteugin | 76326813 | Click to see | 376.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83541-4 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Ursolic Acid | 64945 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97033-X |
| Alpha-Amyrin | 73170 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97033-X |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97033-X |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97033-X |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Oligosaccharides | |||||
| [(2R,3R,4R,5R,6R)-4-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethoxy]-5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 14034194 | Click to see | 756.70 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(88)80215-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 |
| [(2R,3R,4R,5R,6R)-4-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethoxy]-5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 11967131 | Click to see | 770.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Dioxepanes / 1,4-dioxepanes | |||||
| (1S,3S,5S,5'S,6R,7R,9R,10R)-5'-(furan-3-yl)-3-hydroxy-7-methylspiro[12,14-dioxatetracyclo[7.4.1.01,10.05,10]tetradecane-6,3'-oxolane]-2',13-dione | 636452 | Click to see | 374.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86970-8 https://doi.org/10.1021/JO00142A029 |
| 5'-(Furan-3-yl)-3-hydroxy-7-methylspiro[12,14-dioxatetracyclo[7.4.1.01,10.05,10]tetradecane-6,3'-oxolane]-2',13-dione | 5259856 | Click to see | 374.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86970-8 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Delta valerolactones | |||||
| (1S,2S,6S,7S,9R,11R,12R)-12-[(2S)-2-(furan-3-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl]-7-hydroxy-11-methyl-8,14-dioxatetracyclo[7.6.0.01,6.02,12]pentadecan-13-one | 163025523 | Click to see CC1CC2C34COC(=O)C1(C3CCCC4C(O2)O)CC(C5=COC=C5)O | 362.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83541-4 |
| (1S,2S,6S,7S,9R,11R)-12-[(2S)-2-(furan-3-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl]-7-hydroxy-11-methyl-8,14-dioxatetracyclo[7.6.0.01,6.02,12]pentadecan-13-one | 163195645 | Click to see | 362.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83541-4 |
| 12-[2-(Furan-3-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl]-7-hydroxy-11-methyl-8,14-dioxatetracyclo[7.6.0.01,6.02,12]pentadecan-13-one | 163025521 | Click to see CC1CC2C34COC(=O)C1(C3CCCC4C(O2)O)CC(C5=COC=C5)O | 362.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83541-4 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones | |||||
| (1S,8R,9R)-5'-(furan-3-yl)-10-methylspiro[2-oxatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodec-4(12)-ene-9,3'-oxolane]-2',3-dione | 137705202 | Click to see | 328.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80487-2 |
| Eugarzasidine I | 316446 | Click to see | 328.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80487-2 |
| Teucrin A | 159529 | Click to see | 344.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/TX00042A020 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 https://doi.org/10.1124/MOL.58.3.542 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80487-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83541-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00145-X https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1980-0626 https://doi.org/10.1002/HEP.510240134 |
| Teucvidin | 185749 | Click to see CC1CC2C3=C(CCCC3C14CC(OC4=O)C5=COC=C5)C(=O)O2 | 328.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83541-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80487-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 |
| Teuflin | 13071598 | Click to see | 328.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86970-8 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80487-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83541-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Oxepanes | |||||
| Teucrin G | 102059824 | Click to see | 390.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80487-2 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567849 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83541-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl 3-O-(6-Deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl)-4-O-[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 132274946 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(OC(C2OC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)CO)OCCC4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O)O | 624.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 |
| Verbascoside | 5281800 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(OC(C2OC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)CO)OCCC4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O)O | 624.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(03)00378-9 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| (+-)-Naringenin | 932 | Click to see | 272.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97033-X |
| (2R)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one | 667495 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O | 272.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97033-X |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| Apigenin | 5280443 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O | 270.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97033-X |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 6-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Pectolinarigenin | 5320438 | Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C=C(C(=C3O)OC)O | 314.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97033-X |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Cirsiliol | 160237 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1)OC(=CC2=O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)OC | 330.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97033-X |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |