This native perennial is a mint, not a nettle. The hairy stems are erect and up to 3 feet tall. The leaves are lance shaped, opposite on the stem, rough and hairy, but the hairs do not sting like those of the true nettles (C). The pale to dark lavender flowers are arranged in whorls surrounding the stem near the top of the stem (A,B). The black seeds can be seen in image (D). The leaves turn a bright red by October (E).
Found on the floodplains, flowering from June through September. In Fontenelle Forest, common along the Missouri River at the end of Child’s Hollow Trail. At Neale Woods, rare along the Missouri River off River Trail.
Also known as Marsh Hedge Nettle.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.