Stachys recta

Stachys recta, commonly known as stiff hedgenettle^[2] or perennial yellow-woundwort,^[3] is herbaceous perennial plant of the family Lamiaceae.

Stachys recta
Inflorescence of Stachys recta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Stachys
Species:	S. recta
Binomial name
Stachys recta L.
Synonyms[1]
Betonica recta (L.) Baill. Ortostachys recta (L.) Fourr., Prasium stachys E.H.L.Krause

Etymology

The generic epithet is derived from the Greek word σταχυς (stachys), meaning "an ear of grain",^[4] and refers to the fact that the inflorescence is often a spike. The specific epithet comes from the Latin recta, meaning "straight", also refers to the shape of the inflorescence.

Description

Close-up on flowers of S. recta subsp. recta

The biological form of S. recta is hemicryptophyte scapose, as its overwintering buds are situated just below the soil surface and the floral axis is more or less erect with a few leaves.

The plant reaches on average 20–40 centimetres (7.9–15.7 in) in height.^[5] It has thick, woody roots. The stems are strong, simple or branched, with slightly rough glandular hairs. The leaves are ovate-spatulate to oblong-lanceolate, with toothed edges and a long petiole. The length of the leaves is 3–5 centimetres (1.2–2.0 in)^[5] and the width 0.5 to 2 cm. 5–20 millimetres (0.20–0.79 in).

The flowers are gathered in a dense terminal spike and are usually yellowish-white, stained by purple or brown spots. The calyx is 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) long. The flowering period extends from July through October. The flowers are hermaphrodite and pollinated by insects. The fruit are achenes about 2 mm long, rounded, chestnut-brown and smooth or very finely punctured.^[5] This plant is strictly related to S. officinalis, and has similar properties and characteristics.

Distribution

This plant is a sub-Mediterranean floral element and it is widespread from Europe to the Caucasus and Asia Minor.^[5]

Habitat

Stachys recta grows in lawns, in semi-dry and dry grasslands and in rocky hillsides. It prefers calcareous and moderately dry soil, at an altitude of 0–2,100 metres (0–6,890 ft) above sea level.^[5]

Gallery

• 
  Figure of S. recta from Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen, 1796.
• 
  Plant of S. recta.
• 
  Flowers of S. recta.
• 
  Leaf of S. recta

Subspecies

• Stachys recta L. subsp. labiosa (Bertol.) Briq.
• Stachys recta L. subsp. recta.
• Stachys recta L. subsp. subcrenata (Vis.) Briq.
• Stachys recta L. subsp. tenoreana Bornm.