Hairy hemp-nettle
Scientific name: Galeopsis pubescens Besser
Family: Lamiaceae
MORPHOLOGY
Habit and size: Annual herbaceous plant, 20 to 50 cm tall, with a taproot.
Stem: Erect stem, tetragonal, branching above with scattered hairs on the four faces; slightly swollen internodes above with bristles and glandular hairs.
Leaves: Opposite, petiolate, hairy with oval blade (1-4 x 5-8 cm); serrated margin (10-20 teeth per side).
Flowers: Inflorescences contracted on the leaf axils with 6-10 flowers (spike), bracts similar to true leaves. Gamosepalous calyx, sub-actinomorphic with acute teeth; zygomorphic corolla, gamopetalous, 20-28 mm long with entire lower lip; intense pink-purple color with yellow throat and tube. Blooms from May to August.
Fruits and seeds: Schizocarp (tetrachenio) formed by four nutlets.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Present throughout Italy except the major islands, Calabria, Basilicata, and Puglia. Prefers fallow lands, ruins, hedges, forest margins, and clearings, from 0 to 1,200 m.
Photo: under free license from Saxifraga and Ed Stikvoort, Rutger Barendse



















