Broadly defined, Prunella vulgaris is a circumboreal weedy species-complex that is widespread across temperate regions of North America. Variation deserves more attention; reported 2n = 28 and 32. There is a large range in overall size, leaf shape and pubescence. Rafinesque (1836, 2:29-32) described 10 species in the genus from eastern states (under "Brunella"). It has sometimes been erroneously implied that all P. vulgaris sensu lato is alien in North America (e.g. SE). Most colls. from Ky. are referable to lanceolata, which is native (F). See also notes under vulgaris sensu stricto. The genus Prunella has an ancient history of medicinal uses, especially in East Asia for reducing various fevers and toxicities; common names in English are "self-heal" and "heal-all". Active compounds include diverse triperpenoids, diterpenoids (with high unusual "vulgarisins"), phenolic acids, flavonoids and polysaccharides (Bai et al. 2016). There is relatively little documentation of current uses in North America, but Moerman (1998, 2009) has noted many medicinal and culinary uses by Native Americans. Reputed uses as a substantial food here or elsewhere are dubious; there is no mention in most authoritative works on edible plants (e.g. Hedrick 1919), and the plant does not appear to be especially palatable. There are a few reports of deer browsing on lanceolata (e.g. Atwood 1941, Anderson et al. 2001).