Annual Woundwort

Stachys annua

Description

Plant is 15-35 cm tall; stems are simple or ramified, often hairless at base, with soft, short, downwardly directed hairs at top, with denser hairs under inflorescences. Lower leaves are wedge-shaped at base, oblong-ovate, crenate; upper leaves are lanceolate, sharp, serrated; top leaves are reduced, sessile. Bracts are filiform or linear, long-ciliated. Inflorescence is long, spike-shaped; two or three lower whorls are sparse; upper whorls are connivent. Calyx is somewhat hairy; its teeth are triangular-lanceolate, becoming spiniform upward, arcuate, as long as tube.