Stachys ajugoides
Ajuga hedge nettle
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stachys ajugoides (Ajuga hedge nettle) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by decumbent habit, silky hairs, and few-flowered clusters.
Ajuga hedge nettle is a California native perennial found in northwestern, south central, central western, and southwestern California in moist, open places that remain wet into summer at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white to light pink flowers in small clusters of 3 to 6 blossoms. Growing with soft, hairy stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall that are generally decumbent, it spreads in low, sprawling patches. Its leaves are oblong, 1.5 to 7 centimeters long, with long silky hairs, wedge-shaped bases, and rounded tips. The soft, spreading growth and delicate white flowers make this hedge nettle a charming addition to moist California habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 10 species; distinguished by decumbent habit, silky hairs, and few-flowered clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, open places, generally remaining wet into summer
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mariposa, Orange, Los Angeles, San Benito, Alameda, Santa Clara, Colusa, San Mateo, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Lake, San Joaquin, Shasta, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, Glenn, Ventura, Contra Costa, Plumas, Sierra, San Diego, Marin, Riverside, Amador, Tulare, Solano, Yolo, San Bernardino, El Dorado, Butte, Sacramento, Kern, Napa, Placer, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tehama, San Francisco, Modoc, Santa Cruz, Tuolumne
Outside California: to British Columbia, Baja California
Bloom period
Stachys ajugoides blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Stachys has four stamens; Salvia has only two stamens visible in the flower.; vs Lepechinia: Stachys flowers are in separated whorls; Lepechinia has continuous branched clusters.; vs Verbascum: Stachys has square stems and opposite leaves; Verbascum has round stems and alternate leaves.; vs Melissa: Stachys upper flowers have small bracts; Melissa has full-sized leaves beneath all flower clusters.; vs Lamium: Stachys is upright with flowers in separated whorls; Lamium sprawls with flowers clustered at leaf joints.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stachys ajugoides native to California?
Yes. Stachys ajugoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stachys ajugoides bloom?
Stachys ajugoides blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Stachys ajugoides grow?
Stachys ajugoides occurs in Humboldt, Mariposa, Orange, Los Angeles, San Benito, Alameda, Santa Clara, Colusa and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Stachys ajugoides belong to?
Stachys ajugoides is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Stachys.
What habitat does Stachys ajugoides grow in?
Stachys ajugoides grows in Moist, open places, generally remaining wet into summer.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.