Galeopsis tetrahit (Brittlestem Hemp-nettle)

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flowers are in whorls of 2 to 6 at the top of the plant and at leaf axils in the upper part of the plant. Individual flowers are about ¾ inch long, irregularly tubular with a broad upper lip and a 3-parted lower lip with the middle lobe the largest. The outside of the upper lip is covered in long white hairs. The inside of the lower lip is striped with purple and usually has 2 bumps and 2 white or pale to bright yellow spots near the throat. There are 4 stamens that arc along the inside of the upper lip. Flower color ranges from pink to purple and is sometimes white. Plants are often branched with flowers on each branch.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are up to 2½ inches long and 1½ inch wide, hairy, roughly egg-shaped with a pointed tip, rounded base, serrated edges, and hairy leaf stems. Attachment is opposite, with each pair at right angles to the pair below it. The main stem is square, bristly hairy and swollen below the leaf nodes.

More photos

• a colony of Brittlestem Hemp-nettle

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN and Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park, Shoreview, MN July 2007 and 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?