Lamiastrum galeobdolon
Yellow archangel
(c) Tom Scavo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Lamiastrum galeobdolon (Yellow archangel) is a non-native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by European garden escape - shade-tolerant groundcover occasionally naturalizing in coastal areas.
Yellow archangel is a naturalized perennial herb found in northern coastal California (NCo) in woodland and shady fields at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with brown spots, each 14 to 25 millimeters long with a distinctive two-lipped structure. Growing with prostrate to erect stems 15 to 60 centimeters tall that develop stolons after flowering begins, it has a spreading, somewhat sprawling habit. Its leaves are ovate to nearly round, 2 to 9 centimeters long, typically variegated with crenate or coarsely toothed edges and a truncate to heart-shaped base. The plant produces small triangular nutlets and spreads easily through its stoloniferous growth pattern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: European garden escape - shade-tolerant groundcover occasionally naturalizing in coastal areas
Habitat and range
Habitat: Woodland, shady fields
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: widespread North America, native western Europe to western Asia
Bloom period
Lamiastrum galeobdolon blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Lamium: Dead nettle has pink to purple flowers; Lamiastrum's flowers are bright yellow.; vs Pycnanthemum: California mint has white fuzzy flower heads; Lamiastrum has clear yellow flowers with variegated leaves.; vs Glechoma: Ground ivy has blue to purple flowers; Lamiastrum's blooms are unmistakably yellow.; vs Clinopodium: Clinopodium has tiny or salmon-orange flowers; Lamiastrum's yellow flowers are distinctive and larger.; vs Stachys: Hedge-nettle has pink to purple flowers; Lamiastrum is the only one with bright yellow blooms.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lamiastrum galeobdolon native to California?
No. Lamiastrum galeobdolon is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lamiastrum galeobdolon bloom?
Lamiastrum galeobdolon blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Lamiastrum galeobdolon belong to?
Lamiastrum galeobdolon is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Lamiastrum.
What habitat does Lamiastrum galeobdolon grow in?
Lamiastrum galeobdolon grows in Woodland, shady fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.