Florida Betony
Scientific Name: Stachys floridana
Also Known As: Rattlesnake weed, Florida hedgenettle, Hedgenettle, Wild artichoke
Weed Family: Labiatae
Description
Smooth or hairy, delicate, freely branched, upright perennial herb, from slender underground stems with segmented white tubers resembling a rattlesnake's rattle. Leaves opposite, long stalked, lance shaped, with toothed margins, usually with a nearly flat base. Stems square. Flowers white to pink with purple spots, joined together except for the tips, which are two-lipped. The upper lip is hooded; the lower lip is three-lobed. Flowers mainly in early spring. Occurs in turf, roadsides, thickets, and shrub borders. Commonly moved with nursery stock and ornamental plants. Propagation: primarily by tubers, secondarily by seed.Weed Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Lambert McCarty. Clemson University. Clemson, SC.