Plant Details

Pulmonaria officinalis, P. maculosa

Lungwort, Jerusalem Sage, Jerusalem Cowslip

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Pulmonaria officinalis, P. maculosa.

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Common names

5 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Jerusalem Cowslip
  • Jerusalem Sage
  • Lungwort
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Gevlekt longkruid
French
  • Pulmonaire officinale
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Pulmonaria officinalis, P. maculosa
Taxonomic placement (Kew): Pulmonaria officinalis L. View name reference ↗

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.

Sources [2] [3]
Botanical family: Boraginaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Pulmonaria (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Lungwort, Jerusalem Sage, Jerusalem Cowslip

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.30 m
Spread: 0.30 m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Shade, Partial shade

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves
Edibility rating:
(2)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
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

Harvest starts: 01/05
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. 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.

  2. 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 .

  3. 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 .