The plant whose small purple/magenta flowers are a bit curled up grows with four flower on each stem, with each flower positioned as if at a cardinal point on a compass. The white flowers each have six petals with a straight green stripe running down each and pointed tips. The thin plant branch with nine rounded green leaves has an interesting leaf arrangement: leaves are in an alternating formation, though they are very close and resemble an opposite leafed pattern. The leaf on the end has no alternating partner. The stalk with the bright green needles coming out from all sides has a stem that is broken into fairly even sections by its nodes. Needles extend from many points around the entirety of each node. The stem space between each node fades from brown on the bottom to green at the top.
One of my research-quality observations has been identified by the community as Lamium amplexicaule, or Henbit Deadnettle. It is a dicot in the Laminiaceae family. Its scientific name is based on its leaf formation - it has amplexicaul leaves, which grasp their stem. The leaves are also rounded and opposite. The common name for the plant, Henbit, refers to the tendency of chickens to eat it. which The flowers are generally insect-pollinated, but they are able to self-pollinate and do so if insect pollinators are not acting sufficiently. They propagate by seed and are frequented by bees. Honeybees and hummingbirds in particular use the nectar and pollen of the plant. Henbit Deadneetle can grow in a range of soils and climate conditions, and is found in a variety of environments, including waste areas, cultivated fields, railroads and pastures. It can grow in shade and under shrubs. The Henbit Deadnettle is not an endangered species; it has spread from its native Mediterranean region to a variety of environments throughout the world. In many areas, it is regarded as an invasive species. It is edible and nutritious for humans and helps flush toxins out through the skin and the digestive system. It is also sometimes used in erosion control.
