Stachys tenuifolia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- STAH-kees ten-yoo-ih-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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Stachys tenuifolia, or Smooth Hedge-nettle, is an herbaceous perennial flowering herb in the mint family. The root system consists of a taproot and rhizomes. This plant often forms vegetative colonies, like many other members of the Mint family.
The plant prefers partial sun and moist conditions, but also tolerates light shade and full sun. The soil should contain sufficient organic material to retain moisture. If this plant dries out, the leaves have a tendency to turn yellow or brown, and the entire plant may die. It is typically found in low woods, and shores.
The plant produces seeds, but often reproduces by means of rhizomes and tubers. Small segments of rhizome can sprout into new plants or the tuber may be transported to a new area.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
There are no known problems affecting this plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Stachys
- Species:
- tenuifolia
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada, Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- long-tongued bees pollinate the flowers
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Each flower is replaced by 4 black nutlets that are oblong in shape.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The central stem terminates in a inflorescence that has whorls of flowers at intervals along its length. This inflorescence can vary from 2 to 8 inches in length. The tubular corolla of each flower is about 1/3 inch long and divided into 2 lips. The hairy upper lip functions as a protective hood, while the lower lip is divided into 3 lobes (a central lobe and two smaller side lobes), which functions as a landing pad for visiting insects. The flowers are light pink or white, often with rosy pink splotches within the throat. The green calyx is hairless and at least half as long as the tube of the corolla (not including the lips). It is divided into 5 triangular segments that curl outward as the ovaries mature. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 1-2 months.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are up to 3½ inches long and 1 inch across. The petioles of the lower leaves are about ¼ inch or slightly longer, while the upper leaves have shorter petioles or are sessile. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are hairless or nearly so – if hairs are present, they are most likely to occur along the lower mid-vein of the leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The central stem is square, usually with scattered hairs along the ridges, but not the sides.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
