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Slender Betony Stachys tenuifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
STAH-kees ten-yoo-ih-FOH-lee-uh
Description

 

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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#tuberous#NC native#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#NC Native Pollinator Plant#perennial#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#tuberous#NC native#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#NC Native Pollinator Plant#perennial#wildflower
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees