Mexican Hedge Nettle

Stachys mexicana also Stachys emersonii

All photos with blue borders expand if clicked

The Mexican Hedge nettle is a member of the mint family. Pojan and MacKinnon are inclined to believe that this same plant is also called Stachys cilata . Peck lists both. In any event, the leaves are of a lance shape moderately notched on the edges with purple flowers growing out of the joints between the leaf and the stem. As the plant matures it will develop a flower cluster on top. It appears on roadside ditches often intermixed with the stinging nettle. Plants 3 feet or so high.

Compared to the leaves the flowers are relatively small and other than their color are not particularly noticeable.

Additional information: see Wikpedia - Hedge Nettle