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Lamiaceae Taxonomy Browser
Stachys tenuifolia Willd.
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The preference is partial sun and moist conditions. This plant also tolerates light shade and full sun. The soil should contain sufficient organic material to retain moisture. If this plant dries out, the leaves have a tendency to turn yellow or brown, and the entire plant may die.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/sl_hdgnettlex.htm |
Comments: This is the record for the treatment of Stachys tenuifolia which excludes var. latidens and var. aspera but includes S. hispida, following the sense of Kartesz 1999. Kartesz 1999 treats S. tenuifolia var. latidens as the distinct species S. latidens and includes S. tenuifolia var. aspera in Stachys aspera. In Kartesz 1994, S. tenuifolia var. aspera had been included in S. tenuifolia var. tenuifolia. Both Kartesz 1994 and Kartesz 1999 include S. hispida in S. tenuifolia. S. hispida has been recognized as distinct by Mulligan and Monroe 1989. Kartesz 1999 does not recognize varieties in Stachys tenuifolia.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Stachys+tenuifolia |
This is a typical member of the Mint family. It is easy to overlook, because this Hedge Nettle sp. tends to be rather small-sized and non-descript, almost looking like a lanky Prunella vulgaris (Self-Heal) at first glance. Identifying Smooth Hedge Nettle correctly can be rather tricky, so here are some of the key features to look for
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/sl_hdgnettlex.htm |
This native perennial plant is ½2½' tall and usually unbranched. The central stem is 4-angled, usually with scattered hairs along the ridges, but not the sides (see Stem Photo). The opposite leaves are up to 3½" long and 1" across. They are usually lanceolate or narrowly ovate, with serrate or crenate margins. The petioles of the lower leaves are about ¼" or slightly longer, while the upper leaves have shorter petioles or are sessile. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are hairless or nearly so if hairs are present, they are most likely to occur along the lower mid-vein of the leaves. The central stem terminates in a spike-like inflorescence that has whorls of flowers at intervals along its length. This inflorescence can vary from 2-8" in length. The tubular corolla of each flower is about 1/3" long and divided into 2 lips. The hairy upper lip functions as a protective hood, while the lower lip is divided into 3 lobes (a central lobe and two smaller side lobes), which functions as a landing pad for visiting insects. The flowers are light pink or white, often with rosy pink splotches within the throat. The green calyx is hairless and at least half as long as the tube of the corolla (not including the lips). It is divided into 5 triangular segments that curl outward as the ovaries mature. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower is replaced by 4 black nutlets that are oblong in shape. The root system consists of a taproot and rhizomes. This plant often forms vegetative colonies, like many other members of the Mint family.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/sl_hdgnettlex.htm |
Smooth Hedge Nettle occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is occasional in southern and central Illinois, but uncommon or absent in the northern counties. Habitats include ravines in floodplain forests, moist meadows along rivers or woodlands, thickets, and various kinds of wetlands, including swamps, seeps, and ditches. It can be found in either high quality habitats or rather degraded sites.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/sl_hdgnettlex.htm |
Canada
Origin: Unknown/Undetermined
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Unknown/Undetermined
Confidence: Confident
United States
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Stachys+tenuifolia |
Isotype for Stachys tenuifolia var. perlonga Fernald
Catalog Number: US 1971382
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): M. L. Fernald & B. H. Long
Year Collected: 1941
Locality: Bottomland woods along N Meherrin River NE of Gaskins., Greensville, Virginia, United States, North America
- Isotype: Fernald, M. L. 1943. Rhodora. 45: 466.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. Unless otherwise noted, this image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws. |
Source | http://collections.mnh.si.edu/search/botany/?irn=2075070 |
Holotype for Stachys glabra Riddell
Catalog Number: US 772118
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: Verified from the card file of type specimens
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): J. Riddell
Locality: Worthington., Franklin, Ohio, United States, North America
- Holotype: Riddell, J. L. 1836. Suppl. Cat. Ohio Pl. 16.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. Unless otherwise noted, this image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws. |
Source | http://collections.mnh.si.edu/search/botany/?irn=2131522 |
Smooth Hedge Nettle occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It is occasional in southern and central Illinois, but uncommon or absent in the northern counties. Habitats include ravines in floodplain forests, moist meadows along rivers or woodlands, thickets, and various kinds of wetlands, including swamps, seeps, and ditches. It can be found in either high quality habitats or rather degraded sites.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/sl_hdgnettlex.htm |
Primarily long-tongued bees pollinate the flowers, where they seek nectar primarily. Short-tongued bees sometimes collect pollen, while flower flies feed on the pollen, but they are not very effective pollinators. Occasionally butterflies or skippers may visit the flowers, but they aren't very effective at pollinating the flowers either. The bitter foliage of this and other Stachys spp. is not often consumed by mammalian herbivores. Photographic Location
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/sl_hdgnettlex.htm |