Betonica formerly Stachys

Square stemmed aromatic Hedgenettle from the Mint family

Formerly classified as Stachys, these plants can be aromatic and have square stems, similar to Salvias.

Betony is also known as Common Hedgenettle

Betony is a wildflower species that I’ve found growing locally in Seaford. It grows on the chalk sea cliffs (see pic above) but will tolerate a range of soil acidity. It was in flower in August when I spotted it although it had clearly been flowering for some time. The plants I saw were growing in open grassland but it can be found in a range of habitats (hence the hedge name) and is an ancient woodland indicator species.

The plant I saw had flower spikes growing to about 30cm tall, but that the growing conditions were quite poor – thin soil and an exposed site.

Betony flower Stachys officinalis Seaford Head Aug 2021 — Betony flower – *Betonica officinalis* – Seaford Head – Aug 2021

Betony leaf and stem Stachys officinalis Seaford Head Aug 2021 — Betony leaf and stem – *Betonica officinalis* – Seaford Head – Aug 2021

Identifying Betonica officinalis

I forgot to look for a basal rosette of leaves (#stillLearning :)) but the stem leaves were in pairs quite sparsely distributed up the square stem. The leaves were narrow, about 5cm long and serrated. The pink flowers were held in a spike of compact whorls with hairy purple calyces, each flower tube (corolla) being about 1cm long.

Betony seven sisters Stachys officinalis Seaford Head Aug 2021 — Betony – *Betonica officinalis* – Seven Sisters at Seaford Head – Aug 2021

Betony Stachys officinalis Seaford Head Aug 2021 — Betony – *Betonica officinalis* – Seaford Head – Aug 2021

I have labelled posts mentioning Hedgenettle – Betonica species with the tag Hedgenettle, Betony and Betonica

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