Pulmonaria officinalis, P. maculosa
Lungwort, Jerusalem Sage, Jerusalem Cowslip
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Pulmonaria officinalis, P. maculosa.
Common names
5 names · 3 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Jerusalem Cowslip
- Jerusalem Sage
- Lungwort
Other languages (2)
- Dutch
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- Gevlekt longkruid
- French
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- Pulmonaire officinale
Sources & name notes
Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
General information
Kew's family placement for the genus Pulmonaria (WCVP v16).
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Shade, Partial shade
Uses
Leaves
Bee forage, Ground cover
Description
Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They are suitable for salads or as a vegetable side dish. Although they have a mild flavor, they are low in fiber and can be a good addition to mixed salads. However, due to their slightly hairy and slimy texture, they are better mixed with other ingredients. The young leaves are tasty when cooked, although some find the somewhat slimy texture less appealing. This plant is also an ingredient used in making vermouth.
Harvest
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
Supports: Botanical family
Relevant sections
- Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 136410; name ID 2412930; Pulmonaria L.. Family column.
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Pulmonaria officinalis L.
Supports: Taxonomy
Relevant sections
- Taxonomy: Name heading and taxonomic status; Pulmonaria officinalis is accepted by Kew. The associated maculosa name belongs within its nominotypical subspecies; this catalogue entry is interpreted as the species profile, without a cultivar assignment.
Source checked on .
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Pulmonaria officinalis subsp. officinalis
Supports: Taxonomy
Relevant sections
- Taxonomy: Taxonomic synonyms or horticultural name section. Pulmonaria officinalis is accepted by Kew. The associated maculosa name belongs within its nominotypical subspecies; this catalogue entry is interpreted as the species profile, without a cultivar assignment.
Source checked on .