Stachys mexicana
Mexican hedgenettle
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stachys mexicana (Mexican hedgenettle) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by range extension to Alaska and smaller flowers.
Mexican hedgenettle is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the Sacramento Valley, and San Francisco Bay Area in coastal thickets and damp places at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces magenta to purple flowers in compact clusters of 6 to 8 blooms. Growing with erect or sprawling stems 50 to 150 centimeters tall, it has hairy and occasionally glandular branches that become branched toward the top. Its ovate leaves have well-developed petioles, with heart-shaped (cordate) blades that are serrate, hairy, and glandular, featuring an acute tip. The plant's soft-downy flower clusters have gradually reduced bracts, giving the inflorescence a leafy appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 10 species; distinguished by range extension to Alaska and smaller flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Thickets, damp places, generally coastal
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Lake, Trinity
Outside California: Oregon, Washington, Alaska
Bloom period
Stachys mexicana blooms Apr-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 mexicana native to California?
Yes. Stachys mexicana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stachys mexicana bloom?
Stachys mexicana blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Stachys mexicana grow?
Stachys mexicana occurs in Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Lake, Trinity, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Stachys mexicana belong to?
Stachys mexicana is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Stachys.
What habitat does Stachys mexicana grow in?
Stachys mexicana grows in Thickets, damp 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 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.