Stachys bullata
California hedge nettle
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stachys bullata (California hedge nettle) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by mixed hair types and ring position.
California hedge nettle is a native perennial found in coastal central and southern California bioregions on dry slopes near the coast at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from March to September, this plant produces pink to purple flowers with a two-lipped corolla, the lower lip longer and slightly hairy. Growing with erect branched stems 40 to 80 centimeters tall, it has stiff, sharp hairs on stem angles and softer glandular hairs on stem sides. Its leaves are soft and stiff-hairy, approximately ovate, 3 to 18 centimeters long with a heart-shaped base and blunt tip. The plant forms interrupted flower clusters with typically 6 flowers, each with a glandular, hairy calyx tube.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 9 species; distinguished by mixed hair types and ring position
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes near coast
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Napa, Mendocino, San Benito, Humboldt, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Mateo, Alameda, San Diego, Orange, Trinity, Del Norte, Contra Costa, San Bernardino, Marin, Riverside, San Francisco, Merced, Sonoma, Tehama
Bloom period
Stachys bullata blooms Mar-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 bullata native to California?
Yes. Stachys bullata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stachys bullata bloom?
Stachys bullata blooms Mar-Sep.
Where in California does Stachys bullata grow?
Stachys bullata occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Napa, Mendocino, San Benito and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Stachys bullata belong to?
Stachys bullata is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Stachys.
What habitat does Stachys bullata grow in?
Stachys bullata grows in dry slopes near coast.
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.