Florida Betony

Stachys floridana

Florida Betony is a perennial broadleaf weed that is also commonly referred to as Rattlesnake Weed, Florida Hedgenettle, Hedgenettle or its scientific name, Stachys floridana.

Identify

Opposite

Upright

Crenate

Lanceolate

Florida Betony is a freely branching broadleaf weed, growing from slender underground stems with segmented white tubers resembling a rattlesnake's rattle. Its leaves are long-stalked, usually with a nearly flat base, and its stems are square and can be either smooth or hairy. In bloom, Florida Betony displays white to pinkish flowers with purple spots. Flowers are 10 to 11 millimeters long and occur in clusters at the top of the vertically growing, flowering stems. Reproduction occurs primarily by tubers.

Life Cycle

This broadleaf weed is commonly found in fields, lawns and gardens. Florida Betony can be found in much of the southern United States.

Control

Cultural weed control methods, such as mowing and pulling weeds, are often ineffective in removing Stachys floridana from a lawn or other grassy area. It is difficult to determine if all of the tubers have been removed when hand-pulling these broadleaf weeds.