Stachys stebbinsii
Stebbins' hedgenettle
(c) James C. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stachys stebbinsii (Stebbins' hedgenettle) is a native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by robust resinous growth and large aromatic leaves.
Stebbins' hedgenettle is a California native perennial found in central western and southwestern bioregions in moist to somewhat dry places at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces pink flowers with a corolla tube 8 to 9 millimeters long and a lower lip 7 to 8.5 millimeters wide. Growing with robust, erect stems up to 1.5 meters tall that are hairy and resinous, it has a distinctively glandular appearance. Its large leaves are musky-aromatic, with petioles 5 to 6 centimeters long and blades 10 to 12 centimeters long, featuring a truncate to strongly heart-shaped base and prominently scalloped edges. The plant forms distinctive flower clusters containing 6 blossoms, with each flower having a calyx tube 4 to 5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 9 species; distinguished by robust resinous growth and large aromatic leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist to +- dry places
Elevation: < 2500 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Napa, San Francisco
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Stachys stebbinsii blooms Summer.
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 stebbinsii native to California?
Yes. Stachys stebbinsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stachys stebbinsii bloom?
Stachys stebbinsii blooms Summer.
Where in California does Stachys stebbinsii grow?
Stachys stebbinsii occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Napa, San Francisco, at elevations of < 2500 m.
What plant family does Stachys stebbinsii belong to?
Stachys stebbinsii is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Stachys.
What habitat does Stachys stebbinsii grow in?
Stachys stebbinsii grows in Moist to +- dry places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Stachys stricta — Sonoma hedge nettle
- Stachys ajugoides — Ajuga hedge nettle
- Stachys albens — Cobwebby hedge nettle
- Stachys bergii — Berg's hedgenettle
- Stachys bullata — California hedge nettle
- Stachys chamissonis — Coast hedge nettle
- Teucrium cubense subsp. depressum — Dwarf germander
- Teucrium glandulosum — Desert germander
- Teucrium sp.
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.