California Hedgenettle

(Stachys bullata)
 
California Hedgenettle
California Hedgenettle below Inspiration Point.
Will Elder, NPS
 

Origin Of Genus Name: Stachys is Greek for "ear of corn."

Presidio Locations: Inspriation Point

Range In State: Throughout California.

Description: This native annual species is not really a nettle at all, but a member of the Mint Family. Flowers are light purple to pink to white, with 5 petals in two lips arranged in whorls of flowers along top of stout stems up to 3 feet in height. Leaves are dark green, triangular, hairy and toothed and grow in pairs. Blooms March to July.

Native Californian Uses: The Ohlone used poultices of heated leaves for earaches and infected sores. They also used decoctions of roots used as a gargle for sore throats and internally for stomachaches.

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Did You Know?

Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the United States

While visiting the Presidio in August 1923, General Pershing learned that President Warren Harding had died at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.  It was Pershing's duty to accompany the body of the late President back to Washington D.C