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| Stachys bullata |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Mint) |
| Flowers — color: magenta, size: 1/2", type: hooded or lipped |
California Hedgenettle has a tubular galeate [hooded] flower, similar to the labiate [lipped] flowers of the mint family. The lower lip hangs down and is much larger that the upper lip [compare to Henbit Deadnettle and other sages]. These flowers are less than 1/2" long and 1/2" tall. The top of the upper lip has a solid color, but the flower's interior has lacy marbling of color and white, where the color is magenta or pink.
Six blooms form in separate whorls — circular arrangements. Several stack like an Asian pagoda at the top of the plant. The empty whorls resemble some air-raid sirens.
Flowers bloom from April to June. I found one specimen on the golf course blooming in November. Perhaps irrigation has shifted the blooming season.
Habit:
California Hedgenettle is a perennial herb spreading via rhizomes [persistent lateral roots]. The square stem grows six to eighteen inches high and larger specimens may have side branches. I saw one large plant that had been knocked over by a deer — It produced twelve blooming vertical stems. Very rough veined and scalloped leaves grow in opposition one, up to two inches long. They carry a faint sage aroma which may discourage deer. Fine light hairs cover both stems and leaves.
Hedgenettle and hummingbird sage have very similar leaves, enjoy similar habitats, and belong to the same family. The two plants may share the shade of the same oak tree (see photo), but are more often separate. I feel that Hedgenettle is more likely to form colonies of 100 or more plants.
Shady in oak woodlands.