Henbit

Henbit - (Lamium amplexicaule)

FAMILY: Mint (Methaceae)

Henbit is a winter annual that reproduces by seed and rooting stems. Henbit stems droop and then turn upright to grow to 16 inches tall. They may root where they touch the ground. They are square, green to purplish and smooth or hairy. The roots are fibrous. ½ to 1 inch long leaves. Henbit flowers are tubular, pink to red to purple. Henbit is often found growing in moist, fertile soils. To control henbit without herbicides, maintain density and health of established turf. Small populations can be hoed or hand pulled or sprayed with vinegar based organic herbicides. Pre-emergence herbicides (corn gluten meal) should be applied in late summer before germination. Mowing usually takes it out because it is taller than the lawn grasses. I actually consider this plant a wildflower.

Henbit is widely distributed throughout Texas and North America but is a non-native invasive species native to Africa, Asia, and Europe. According to ForagingTexas.com, Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum, another Eurasian invasive plant) is often mistaken for Henbit. The leaves of Dead Nettles have longer petioles and are thicker than those of Henbit. Both plants are edible, both plants are widely distributed through North America. From ForagingTexas: "Medicinal Summary: antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer/cytoprotective" and this NIH National Library of Medicine link: Lamium Plants—A Comprehensive Review on Health Benefits and Biological Activities.

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