California Hedge Nettle

The California hedge nettle is a classic mint family member growing both shady woods and in open sunlight.  An irregular-shaped 5 petal flower on a square stem with fragrant leaves positioned opposite one another on the stem are clear indicators that this beautiful specimen of a plant is a type of mint.  One of the 350 species of plant life at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, the California hedge nettle, also known as wood mint and Stachys bullata,  provides insects with nectar and the landscape with a brilliant pinkish-purple mass of color for all to experience and enjoy.