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Henbit, Henbit Deadnettle

Lamium amplexicaule L.

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

seedlings

mature, flowering plants ▲▼

flowers

mature, flowering plant

flowers, stem-tip leaves ▲▼

▼▲flowera

lawn with heavy henbit infestation in spring

Henbit and Deadnettle:

·         henbit:

o   winter annual with square stems opposite, rounded, lobed leaves

o   upright-pointing flowers

o   upper leaves join around the stems

·         deadnettle: (mentioned on pp. 248-249, Weeds of the Northeast; mentioned on  pp. 332-333, Weeds of the Great Plains)

o   similar, with opposite, heart-shaped, somewhat lobed, fuzzy leaves

o   flowers held under leaves or in leaf axils

o   upper leaves do not join around the stems

o   is an alternate host for soybean pests

·         both germinate in mid to late fall, remain green through most of the winter, then resume growth and produce bright purple flowers in spring and are in the Lamiaceae (Mint) family

·         usually more of a problem in warm-season turf lawns instead of cool-season

·         prefer fertile, well-aerated soils, full-sun, but may grow in shade

·         best control with fall-applied pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicides

 

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