Henbit

Repost: As of March 16, 2010 the Henbit are going strong, with the Purple Dead  Nettle just starting to emerge.   Looks like we are a week behnd last year in growth patterns.


Henbit: Lamium amplexicaule
Also known as: Multi-stories (mine), Giraffe Head, Llama head (mine).

Henbit is one of those things that never seems to go fully away. I have seen Henbit sprigs in the muck of a January winter, and they are one of the first blooms to announce themselves upon our lawns. Some folks call them weeds, but I have always thought of them as crushable flowers. (i.e. the kind we walk on, and discover to our great delight.)

.

Henbit can be seen in great purple patches, and are often found in the presence of at least one thing which is not Henbit, Purple Dead-nettle (Red Dead-nettle) Lamium purpureum . Both Henbit and Purple-Dead Nettle produce a similar flower and are part of the Mint family. They often claim the same territory. When I first encountered the later I thought it to be an alternate season growth of the Henbit.



That which is not Henbit:




Purple Dead (or Red-Dead) Nettle.

(You can also see some in the big Henbit patch at top of page.)

Self Heal

Lyre leaf Sage