Stachys mexicana

Stachys mexicana is a species of flowering plant in the mint family native to western United States and Canada.

Description

Stachys mexicana is a perennial herb with opposite leaves and a square stems, characteristic of the mint family. The inflorescences consist of axillary clusters of tubular, bilabiate, reddish-pink corollas inside calyces with broadly triangular lobes. Crushed leaves and stems have a rank odor typical of many Stachys species. Stachys mexicana is often confused with Stachys cooleyae.

Distribution and habitat

According to Plants of the World Online, Stachys mexicana is restricted to the westernmost states/provinces/territories of the continental United States and Canada. Specific habitat preferences are not fully documented in the sources currently cited.

Taxonomy

The name Stachys mexicana was published by George Bentham in 1834 and is currently recognized by POWO. The genus Stachys encompasses a large group of species commonly known as woundworts or hedgenettles, distributed widely in temperate and tropical regions.