Plants of the San Marcos Foothills Preserve
Lamium amplexicaule (henbit)
Generally uncommon non-native annual herb found in two places on the Preserve (annual grassland east of the Via Gaitero entrance, and below the Antone Road entrance). Flowers are purple-red. Blooms in late winter through spring. Leaves are slightly aromatic. Can be confused with Stachys bullata (see below).
Lamium amplexicaule (henbit). Non-native. Pictured in late winter.
Lamium amplexicaule (henbit). Non-native. Pictured in late winter.
Lamium amplexicaule (henbit). Non-native. Pictured in late winter.
Non-native Lamium amplexicaule (right) should not be confused with the native Stachys bullata (left). Both are in the mint family, have similar flowers and have a similar scent. The shape of the leaves differ greatly between the two. Stachys bullata grows in oak woodland and Lamium amplexicaule is a weed that grows mostly in disturbed areas.