Henbit

Lamium amplexicaule

 

Broadleaf winter annual. Henbit reproduces by seed and rooting stems. Henbit stems droop and then turn upright to grow to 16 inches tall. They may root where they touch the ground. They are square, green to purplish, and smooth or hairy. The roots are fibrous. Henbit flowers are tubular, pink to red to purple, and borne in whorls in the upper leaf axils. They appear to have two lips and are up to 3/4 inch long. Henbit normally flowers April to June and occasionally in September.

 

Henbit is often found growing in moist, fertile soils. To control henbit, maintain density and health in established turf and avoid thin seedings in the autumn. Small populations can be hoed or hand pulled.

 

Henbit can be highly competitive in newly seeded areas and thin or dormant turf. Henbit thrives in cool, moist areas. Growing conditions can be made less favorable by lightening the soil or otherwise improving drainage, especially in shady areas. Heavy, constant shade should be lightened as well where possible. Shady areas should be planted with turfgrass species which do well in the shade and which will provide maximum competition to weed species which invade shady areas.