Alpine Betony Betonica officinalis subsp. officinalis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Stachys densiflora
- Phonetic Spelling
- bet-ON-ih-kuh oh-fish-ih-NAIL-iss oh-fish-ih-NAIL-iss
- Description
-
Creeping Betony is a flowering rhizotomous perennial in the mint family with a dense growth habit and showy spikes of pink flowers in the spring and summer. The plant is commonly known as Stachys officinalis, with stachys coming from the Greek, meaning "an ear of grain," referring to the spike shaped inflorescence. The Latin epithet, officialis, refers to plants which have a culinary or medicinal use. In ancient times, it was thought to provide protection from sorcery and ghosts. Today, it is sometimes prescribed for anxiety, gallstones, heartburn, migraines, and as an ointment for cuts and sores.
In nature, Creeping Betony, is a patch-forming, grassland perennial, 12 to 24 inches tall. Its leaves are stalked on upright stems, oval with a heart-shaped base, wrinkled texture and toothed margins. The plant flowers in mid summer and is found in dry grassland and open woods in most of Europe, western Asia, and North Africa.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White flowers
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White flowers
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Betonica
- Species:
- officinalis
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe to Western Siberia and Caucasus
- Distribution:
- Massachusetts and New York
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Spikes tubular bright pink/lavender flowers. Flowers subsessile. Corolla purple.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Deep green leathery leaves. Petioles of stem leaves 1 1/2 to 3 inches long; basal leaf blade broadly ovate, 3 inches long by 2 inches wide, margin crenate; stem leaf blade ovate, widely spaced. Basal floral leaves sessile, oblong-lanceolate; upper floral leaves linear, margin entire.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems 19 to 30 inches, striate, densely fine pilose.
