Stachys albens
Cobwebby hedge nettle
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stachys albens (Cobwebby hedge nettle) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by uniquely identified by tangled cobwebby hairs.
Cobwebby hedge nettle is a California native perennial found in the northern Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, central Coast, southwestern California, White and Inyo Mountains, and deserts at elevations below 3,000 meters in swamps and seeps. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in interrupted clusters with 10 to 12 blossoms. Growing 50 to 250 centimeters tall with generally branched stems covered in dense, tangled cobwebby hairs, it has an upright, spreading habit. Its leaves are 3 to 15 centimeters long, lanceolate to ovate, with crenate or serrate edges and a slightly heart-shaped base. The plant's distinctive cobwebby hairiness and preference for wet habitats make it a unique member of California's native hedge nettle species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 9 species; uniquely identified by tangled cobwebby hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Swamps, seeps
Elevation: < 3000 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Fresno, Ventura, Riverside, Lake, Inyo, San Benito, Tulare, Alameda, Glenn, Solano, Mendocino, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Humboldt, Tuolumne, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Placer, Tehama, Santa Clara, Madera, Mariposa, Contra Costa, Mono, Yolo, Napa, Colusa, Sacramento, San Francisco, Sonoma, San Mateo, Merced, Stanislaus, Sutter, Calaveras, Plumas, Trinity, Yuba
Bloom period
Stachys albens blooms May-Oct.
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 albens native to California?
Yes. Stachys albens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stachys albens bloom?
Stachys albens blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Stachys albens grow?
Stachys albens occurs in Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Fresno, Ventura, Riverside, Lake, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of < 3000 m.
What plant family does Stachys albens belong to?
Stachys albens is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Stachys.
What habitat does Stachys albens grow in?
Stachys albens grows in Swamps, seeps.
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.