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Integrated Crop Management
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Henbit

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.)

Family:  Lamiaceae (mint)                            
Life cycle:   annual (winter)
Habitat:  landscapes, no-till fields                
Native status:  Introduced

General description:  Prostrate growth habit with terminal ends of stems erect.  Lower leaves are opposite with petioles, rounded to heart-shaped with rounded teeth.  Upper leaves are sessile and deeply lobed.  Stems are square.  Pink to purple flowers are produced in whorls in the axils of upper leaves.

Key ID traits:  Opposite, sessile leaves with deep lobes on upright, square stems.

Similar species:  Purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) has a similar growth habit, but the upper leaves are reddish, triangular, and not deeply lobed like those of henbit.  Both plants are found in similar habitats. Flowering stems of ground ivy (creeping Charlie) resemble those of henbit, but leaves on ground ivy have short petioles whereas leaves on henbit are sessile (joined directly to stem).

Weed ID Factsheets Index

Henbit seedling with long-petioled, circular cotyledons and opposite, deeply toothed leaves.
henbit growth habit
Henbit growth habit

 

Opposite, sessile leaves of henbit on flowering stems. Note square stems.
triangular leaves of purple deadnettle
Triangular leaves of purple deadnettle
flowers in axils of sessile leaves
Henbit flowers in axils of sessile leaves

 

 

Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.
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