Stachys floridana

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Florida Hedgenettle, Florida Betony

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Plant Specifics

Form:Flower
Size:.7 to 1.7 ft tall by .25 to .5 ft wide
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:White,pink,purple
Fruit Color:NA
Phenology:Winter dormant
Noted for:Showy flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:In a meadow, where its aggressiveness is an asset. Can be a low maintenance roadside plant. Difficult to recommend for most landscape uses.
Considerations:Quite aggressive in the landscape and difficult to get rid of because of its deep tubers.
Propagation:Virtually all spread is by tuber.
Availability:-
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade,  Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry)
Moisture Tolerance: Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or other substrate:Loam, Sand
Soil pH:Adaptable

Ecology

Wildlife:
Insects:
  

Attracts bees and butterflies.

Native Habitats:Moist-wet disturbed sites. Flatwoods.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 8A 8B 9A 9B 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Comments

General Comments:

The tuber of this plant is edible and very crisp; it adds texture to salads.  The tuber has a segmented appearance reminiscent of a rattlesnake tail.

This plant can be mowed and used in a "freedom lawn" but be aware that it spreads. 

The plant was considered to be a Florida endemic but began to spread in the 1940s and 1950s.  It is known as an aggressive weed in most areas outside of Florida.