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).
Meaghan Anderson Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension field specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Educational programming is available for farmers, agribusinesses, pesticide applicators, certified crop advisors, and other individuals interested in...