General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Plant Height: 12 - 24 inches
Plant Spread: 6 - 12 inches
Leaves: Other: Soft to the touch.
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Pink
White
Other: White to pink, with purple spots.
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Spring
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Underground structures: Tuber
Uses: Groundcover
Will Naturalize
Suitable for forage
Edible Parts: Roots
Eating Methods: Raw
Wildlife Attractant: Butterflies
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Provide light
Needs specific temperature: 70F
Days to germinate: 21-35
Depth to plant seed: Surface sow.
Start indoors
Can handle transplanting
Other info: Sow late winter, 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant in the Spring. Pinch back when transplanting. Space 16" apart. Self seeds & spreads by roots.
Propagation: Other methods: Other: Division of Tubers.
Miscellaneous: Tolerates poor soil
Goes Dormant

Image
Common names
  • Florida Betony
  • Rattlesnake Weed
  • Florida Hedgenettle
  • Lamb's Ear

Photo Gallery
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2023-03-08
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2024-02-28
98% of the foliage here is FL betony.  When it heats up, it will
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2023-02-20
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2023-02-20
Location: Aberdeen, NC Pages Lake park (A long creek On east side of park)
Date: February 11, 2024
Florida Betony # 250 nn; RAB page 910,164-20-1; LHB page 855, 176
Location: Aberdeen, NC Pages Lake park (along creek on east side)
Date: February 11, 2024
Florida Betony # 250 nn; RAB page 910,164-20-1; LHB page 855, 176
Location: Georgia, USA
Date: Late Summer
Location: Jefferson County, Texas
Date: June 19, 2012
Location: Jacksonville, Fl.
Date: 2014-04-06
Location: Jacksonville, Fl.
Date: 2014-04-06
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2023-01-16
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2022-12-27
freeze-ruined foliage, limp stems & discolored leaves
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2015-04-03
Location: Jefferson County, Texas
Date: April 18, 2010
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2015-03-20
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2015-03-23
After being out in the sun for a couple days, this root started t
Location: Opp, AL
Location: Jefferson County, Texas
Date: April 18, 2010
Location: Jefferson County, Texas
Date: April 18, 2010
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2016-03-30
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2016-03-30
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2015-05-22
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2015-05-22
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-04-13
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2015-01-31
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2015-01-31
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2015-03-19
Location: Jacksonville, Fl.
Date: 2014-04-06
Trying to take over a section of my garden
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-04-13
Location: Waynesboro MS
Date: 2005-04-17
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-04-28
growing wild with no care from humans
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-04-13
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-04-13
This plant is tagged in:
Image

Comments:
  • Posted by MinxFox (Florida Panhandle - Zone 9a) on Feb 23, 2022 1:44 PM concerning plant:
    When I made my back door garden and I was digging out the grass and digging in fresh heathy soil, I came across tons of these roots. I threw them out, but I obviously couldn't find them all as the plant grew back and pops up all over my garden. I've been pulling it every time I find it, but unfortunately they usually break away from the main root bulb. I had no idea it blooms so maybe I'll leave it alone and see if I like having it in the garden for the blooms. It certainly spreads and pops up in between the rocks of the rock border, etc.
  • Posted by greene (Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) - Zone 8b) on Apr 5, 2017 9:01 AM concerning plant:
    I allow this to grow in part of my yard as it is one of the weeds I harvest
    for the rabbits.
  • Posted by Horntoad (Nederland, Texas - Zone 9a) on Jun 19, 2012 9:15 PM concerning plant:
    Tubers are edible. Can be eaten raw, cooked or pickled. Raw tubers remind me of a mild radish.
  • Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Feb 15, 2013 6:14 PM concerning plant:
    Stachys floridana is an attractive perennial wildflower of the mint family. It is considered an aggressive, hard to control weed of lawns, gardens and turf grass throughout Florida and other areas of the Southeastern United States, spreading readily, and quickly taking over moist sites. Florida Hedge-Nettle blooms from spring through fall, producing clusters of 1 inch flowers that are white to pink in color, with purple spots.

    Also called Rattlesnake Weed because the underground white, swollen and segmented tubers resemble the tail of a rattlesnake.
  • Posted by Horntoad (Nederland, Texas - Zone 9a) on Jun 19, 2012 9:13 PM concerning plant:
    Sometimes called Rattlesnake Weed because the tubers are said to resemble a rattlesnakes rattle.
Plant Events from our members
WebTucker On February 11, 2024 Obtained plant
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Discussion Threads about this plant
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Rattlesnake weed by Seedfork May 16, 2014 8:08 PM 1

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