Stachys chamissonis
Coast hedge nettle
(c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stachys chamissonis (Coast hedge nettle) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by large deep-colored flowers and long corolla tubes.
Coast hedge nettle is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, central coastal, and southern coastal ranges in wet, swampy coastal places at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces deep magenta to purple flowers in interrupted clusters with 2 to 6 blossoms per cluster. Growing with erect stems 1 to 2.5 meters tall that are stiff-hairy and glandular, it develops a robust and branching habit. Its deltoid to ovate leaves are 6 to 18 centimeters long, soft-hairy with densely glandular undersides, featuring straight margins and a heart-shaped base. The flowers feature a distinctive corolla tube 18 to 24 millimeters long with an upper lip that becomes reflexed with age.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 10 species; distinguished by large deep-colored flowers and long corolla tubes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet, swampy places, generally coastal
Elevation: < 150 m
Bloom period
Stachys chamissonis 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 chamissonis native to California?
Yes. Stachys chamissonis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stachys chamissonis bloom?
Stachys chamissonis blooms May-Oct.
What plant family does Stachys chamissonis belong to?
Stachys chamissonis is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Stachys.
What habitat does Stachys chamissonis grow in?
Stachys chamissonis grows in Wet, swampy places, generally coastal.
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.