Zoöp Observations: Common lungwort
26 February 2023
As a real shadow plant, common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is less visible than sun-loving plants. In the New Garden, the plant grows in the shadow of the east facade of the New Institute. That is quite a few meters away from the garden paths, so few passers-by will notice this early spring bloomer. Yet lungwort is a beautiful perennial, with flowers changing from pink to violet and finally to blue.
Lung Tissue
The oval leaves have silver-gray spots. When the plant has finished flowering, the leaves also lose part of their decorative splendor and start looking a bit sickly. This is how this plant has earned its name. In ancient times physicians noticed that these spotted leaves look a bit like sick lung tissue. According to Paracelcus, there is a connection between the appearance of a plant and its medicinal effect. Physicians and pharmacists therefore thought that lung patients would benefit from drinks, ointments and tinctures made of this plant. Hence the Latin name Pulmonaria (pulmo = long) officinalis (= medicinal). Because of its hairy leaves lungwort is not troubled much by slugs and snails. For solitary bee species such as Anthophora plumipes (hairy-footed flower bee) and Osmia rufa (red mason bee), the early spring flowers of lungwort are a welcome source of nectar.
Artist Frank Bruggeman, together with Peter Zwaal, observes life in the New Garden, where they record how plants, animals and people relate to each other in the outdoor space of Zoöp Nieuwe Instituut.
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