380 Species of Genus Stachys

My Fascination with Stachys: A World of Lamb’s Ears and Betony

I’ve always been drawn to the unassuming beauty of the plant world. While roses and lilies command attention with their vibrant colors and heady scents, I find myself captivated by the subtle charm of plants like those in the genus Stachys. Perhaps it’s their understated elegance, their resilience, or the sheer diversity within this fascinating group that holds my interest. Whatever the reason, I find myself continually drawn into their world, eager to learn more about each species and their unique characteristics.

Stachys, a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), is a large genus encompassing roughly 380 species. These plants are incredibly diverse, ranging from herbaceous perennials to shrubs, and can be found in a variety of habitats across the globe. They’re often characterized by their square stems, opposite leaves, and two-lipped flowers that bloom in a range of colors, including purple, pink, red, and white.  

A Closer Look at Some Stachys Species

The sheer variety within the Stachys genus is truly remarkable. Here are:

  1. Stachys acerosa Boiss.
  2. Stachys aculeolata Hook.f.
  3. Stachys adulterina Hemsl.
  4. Stachys aegyptiaca Pers.
  5. Stachys aethiopica L.
  6. Stachys affinis Bunge
  7. Stachys afra E.Mey. ex Benth.
  8. Stachys agraria Schltdl. & Cham.
  9. Stachys ahmetsavranii Doğu & Bağcı
  10. Stachys ajugoides Benth.
  11. Stachys alabamica B.R.Keener & L.J.Davenp.
  12. Stachys albanica Markgr.
  13. Stachys albens A.Gray
  14. Stachys albicaulis Lindl.
  15. Stachys albiflora N.E.Br.
  16. Stachys albotomentosa Ramamoorthy
  17. Stachys aleurites Boiss. & Heldr.
  18. Stachys alpigena T.C.E.Fr.
  19. Stachys alpina L.
  20. Stachys amanica P.H.Davis
  21. Stachys × ambigua Sm.
  22. Stachys anamurensis Sümbül
  23. Stachys andongensis Hiern
  24. Stachys angustifolia M.Bieb.
  25. Stachys anisochila Vis. & Pancic
  26. Stachys annua (L.) L.
  27. Stachys antalyensis Ayasligil & P.H.Davis
  28. Stachys aperta Epling
  29. Stachys appalachiana D.B.Poind. & J.B.Nelson
  30. Stachys arabica Hornem.
  31. Stachys arachnoidea Codd
  32. Stachys araucana Phil.
  33. Stachys arenaria Vahl
  34. Stachys arenariiformis Rouy
  35. Stachys argillicola Sebsebe
  36. Stachys aristata Greenm.
  37. Stachys arrecta L.H.Bailey
  38. Stachys arriagana B.L.Turner
  39. Stachys arvensis (L.) L.
  40. Stachys aspera Michx.
  41. Stachys asperata Hedge
  42. Stachys atherocalyx K.Koch
  43. Stachys aucheri Benth.
  44. Stachys aurea Benth.
  45. Stachys babunensis Micevski
  46. Stachys bakeri Briq.
  47. Stachys balansae Boiss. & Kotschy
  48. Stachys balensis Sebsebe
  49. Stachys bayburtensis R.Bhattacharjee & Hub.-Mor.
  50. Stachys baytopiorum Kit Tan & Yıldız
  51. Stachys beckeana Dörfl. & Hayek
  52. Stachys benthamiana Boiss.
  53. Stachys bergii G.A.Mulligan & D.B.Munro
  54. Stachys bhattacharjeeae Ö.Güner
  55. Stachys bigelovii A.Gray
  56. Stachys bithynica Boiss.
  57. Stachys bizensis Schweinf. ex Baker
  58. Stachys × bodeana Bunge
  59. Stachys bogotensis Kunth
  60. Stachys bolusii Skan
  61. Stachys bombycina Boiss.
  62. Stachys boraginoides Schltdl. & Cham.
  63. Stachys brachiata Bojer ex Benth.
  64. Stachys brachyclada de Noé
  65. Stachys bridgesii Benth.
  66. Stachys bullata Benth.
  67. Stachys burchelliana Launert
  68. Stachys burgsdorffioides (Benth.) Boiss.
  69. Stachys × burrii P.H.Davis
  70. Stachys buttleri R.R.Mill
  71. Stachys byzantina K.Koch
  72. Stachys calcicola Epling
  73. Stachys candida Bory & Chaub.
  74. Stachys canescens Bory & Chaub.
  75. Stachys carduchorum (R.Bhattacharjee) Rech.f.
  76. Stachys caroliniana J.B.Nelson & D.A.Rayner
  77. Stachys cataonica R.Bhattacharjee & Hub.-Mor.
  78. Stachys chamissonis Benth.
  79. Stachys chasmosericea Ayasligil & P.H.Davis
  80. Stachys chinensis Bunge ex Benth.
  81. Stachys choruhensis Kit Tan & Sorger
  82. Stachys chrysantha Boiss. & Heldr.
  83. Stachys circinata L’Hér.
  84. Stachys citrina Boiss. & Heldr. ex Benth.
  85. Stachys clingmanii Small
  86. Stachys coccinea Ortega
  87. Stachys collina Brandegee
  88. Stachys comosa Codd
  89. Stachys cordata Riddell
  90. Stachys cordifolia Prain
  91. Stachys corsica Pers.
  92. Stachys costaricensis Briq.
  93. Stachys cretica L.
  94. Stachys × cryptadenia Rech.f.
  95. Stachys cudiensis Fırat & Ö.Güner
  96. Stachys cuneata Banks ex Benth.
  97. Stachys cydni Kotschy ex Gemici & Leblebici
  98. Stachys cymbalaria Briq.
  99. Stachys darcyana A.Pool
  100. Stachys debilis Kunth
  101. Stachys didymantha Brenan
  102. Stachys × digenea Legué
  103. Stachys dinteri Launert
  104. Stachys distans Benth.
  105. Stachys diversifolia Boiss.
  106. Stachys dregeana Benth.
  107. Stachys drummondii Benth.
  108. Stachys durandiana Coss.
  109. Stachys duriaei de Noé
  110. Stachys ehrenbergii Boiss.
  111. Stachys elliptica Kunth
  112. Stachys eplingii J.B.Nelson
  113. Stachys erectiuscula Gürke
  114. Stachys eremicola Epling
  115. Stachys eriantha Benth.
  116. Stachys euadenia P.H.Davis
  117. Stachys euboica Rech.f.
  118. Stachys fendleri Briq.
  119. Stachys filifolia Hedge
  120. Stachys flavescens Benth.
  121. Stachys flexuosa Skan
  122. Stachys floccosa Benth.
  123. Stachys floridana Shuttlew. ex Benth.
  124. Stachys fominii Sosn. ex Grossh.
  125. Stachys fontqueri Pau
  126. Stachys forsythii Hedge
  127. Stachys fragillima Bornm.
  128. Stachys fruticulosa M.Bieb.
  129. Stachys gaziantepensis Dinç & Dogu
  130. Stachys geobombycis C.Y.Wu
  131. Stachys germanica L.
  132. Stachys gilliesii Benth.
  133. Stachys glandulibracteata Y.B.Harv.
  134. Stachys glandulifera Post
  135. Stachys glandulosa Hutch. & E.A.Bruce
  136. Stachys glandulosissima Floden
  137. Stachys glechomifolia Nábelek
  138. Stachys globosa Epling
  139. Stachys glutinosa L.
  140. Stachys gossweileri G.Taylor
  141. Stachys goulimyi Rech.f.
  142. Stachys graciliflora C.Presl
  143. Stachys graeca Boiss. & Heldr.
  144. Stachys grahamii Benth.
  145. Stachys grandidentata Lindl.
  146. Stachys grandifolia E.Mey.
  147. Stachys graveolens Nábelek
  148. Stachys guyoniana de Noé ex Batt.
  149. Stachys hakkariensis Akçiçek & Firat
  150. Stachys hamata Epling
  151. Stachys harkerae J.G.González
  152. Stachys harleyana A.Pool
  153. Stachys hebens Epling
  154. Stachys heraclea All.
  155. Stachys herrerae Epling
  156. Stachys herrerana Rzed. & Calderón
  157. Stachys hians Briq.
  158. Stachys hildebrandtii Vatke
  159. Stachys hintoniorum B.L.Turner
  160. Stachys hispida Pursh
  161. Stachys hissarica Regel
  162. Stachys huber-morathii R.Bhattacharjee
  163. Stachys huetii Boiss.
  164. Stachys huillensis Hiern
  165. Stachys humbertii Hedge
  166. Stachys humifusa Burch. ex Benth.
  167. Stachys hydrophila Boiss.
  168. Stachys hyssopifolia Michx.
  169. Stachys hyssopoides Burch. ex Benth.
  170. Stachys iberica M.Bieb.
  171. Stachys ilicifolius (Schrenk ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Sennikov
  172. Stachys iltisii J.B.Nelson
  173. Stachys inanis Hausskn. & Bornm.
  174. Stachys inflata Benth.
  175. Stachys intermedia Aiton
  176. Stachys ionica Halácsy
  177. Stachys iraqensis R.Bhattacharjee
  178. Stachys istanbulensis Ö.Güner
  179. Stachys iva Griseb.
  180. Stachys jaimehintonii B.L.Turner
  181. Stachys jijigaensis Sebsebe
  182. Stachys keerlii Benth.
  183. Stachys kermanshahensis Rech.f.
  184. Stachys ketenoglui Kaynak, Daskin & Yilmaz
  185. Stachys komarovii Knorring
  186. Stachys kotschyi Boiss. & Hohen.
  187. Stachys kouyangensis (Vaniot) Dunn
  188. Stachys kulalensis Sebsebe
  189. Stachys kuntzei Gürke
  190. Stachys kurdica Boiss. & Hohen.
  191. Stachys lallaniana R.Kr.Singh & Sanjeet Kumar
  192. Stachys lamarckii Benth.
  193. Stachys lamioides Benth.
  194. Stachys langmaniae Rzed. & Calderón
  195. Stachys lanigera (Bornm.) Rech.f.
  196. Stachys latidens Small
  197. Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl
  198. Stachys laxa Boiss. & Buhse
  199. Stachys leucoglossa Griseb.
  200. Stachys × leucomalla Bornm. & Gauba
  201. Stachys libanotica Benth.
  202. Stachys lindenii Benth.
  203. Stachys linearis Burch. ex Benth.
  204. Stachys longespicata Boiss. & Kotschy
  205. Stachys longiflora Boiss. & Balansa
  206. Stachys lurestanica Jamzad
  207. Stachys lyallii Benth.
  208. Stachys macraei Benth.
  209. Stachys macrotricha Rech.f. & Goulimy
  210. Stachys manantlanensis B.L.Turner
  211. Stachys mandoniana Briq.
  212. Stachys marashica Ilçim, Çenet & Dadandi
  213. Stachys mardinensis (Post) R.R.Mill
  214. Stachys maritima Gouan
  215. Stachys marrubiifolia Viv.
  216. Stachys matthewsii G.P.Fleming, J.B.Nelson & J.F.Towns.
  217. Stachys × medebachensis Feld & O.Koenen
  218. Stachys megalodonta Hausskn. & Bornm. ex P.H.Davis
  219. Stachys melampyroides Hand.-Mazz.
  220. Stachys menthifolia Vis.
  221. Stachys menthoides Kotschy & Boiss.
  222. Stachys mexicana Benth.
  223. Stachys mialhesii de Noé
  224. Stachys milanii Petrov ex Magnier
  225. Stachys milasensis Ö.Güner
  226. Stachys minor (Boiss.) Akçiçek & Dirmenci
  227. Stachys × mirabilis Rouy
  228. Stachys mohinora B.L.Turner
  229. Stachys mollissima Willd.
  230. Stachys moorei B.L.Turner
  231. Stachys mouretii Batt. & Pit.
  232. Stachys mucronata Sieber ex Spreng.
  233. Stachys multicaulis Benth.
  234. Stachys munzurdagensis R.Bhattacharjee
  235. Stachys namazdaghensis Yıld.
  236. Stachys natalensis Hochst.
  237. Stachys nelsonii B.R.Keener & L.J.Davenp.
  238. Stachys nemorivaga Briq.
  239. Stachys nepetifolia Desf.
  240. Stachys nephrophylla Rech.f.
  241. Stachys neurocalycina Boiss.
  242. Stachys nigricans Benth.
  243. Stachys nivea Labill.
  244. Stachys nubilorum Epling
  245. Stachys obliqua Waldst. & Kit.
  246. Stachys oblongifolia Wall. ex Benth.
  247. Stachys obscura Boiss. & Balansa
  248. Stachys obtusicrena Boiss.
  249. Stachys obtusifolia MacOwan
  250. Stachys ochroleuca Phil.
  251. Stachys ocymastrum (L.) Briq.
  252. Stachys oligantha Baker
  253. Stachys oreophila Hedge
  254. Stachys palaestina L.
  255. Stachys palustris L.
  256. Stachys paneiana Mouterde
  257. Stachys pannosa Phil.
  258. Stachys parolinii Vis.
  259. Stachys pauli Grossh.
  260. Stachys penanevada B.L.Turner
  261. Stachys peruviana Dombey ex Benth.
  262. Stachys petrokosmos Rech.f.
  263. Stachys philippiana Vatke
  264. Stachys pilifera Benth.
  265. Stachys pilosa Nutt.
  266. Stachys pilosissima M.Martens & Galeotti
  267. Stachys pinardii Boiss.
  268. Stachys pinetorum Boiss. & Balansa
  269. Stachys pittieri Briq.
  270. Stachys plumosa Griseb.
  271. Stachys pringlei Greenm.
  272. Stachys pseudohumifusa Sebsebe
  273. Stachys pseudonigricans Gürke
  274. Stachys pseudophlomis C.Y.Wu
  275. Stachys pseudopinardii R.Bhattacharjee & Hub.-Mor.
  276. Stachys pumila Banks & Sol.
  277. Stachys pusilla (Wedd.) Briq.
  278. Stachys pycnantha Benth.
  279. Stachys pyramidalis J.K.Morton
  280. Stachys radicans Epling
  281. Stachys ramosissima Montbret & Aucher ex Benth.
  282. Stachys recta L.
  283. Stachys rehmannii Skan
  284. Stachys reptans Hedge
  285. Stachys reticulata Codd
  286. Stachys richardiana R.Kr.Singh
  287. Stachys riederi Cham.
  288. Stachys rigida Nutt. ex Benth.
  289. Stachys riparia A.Pool
  290. Stachys rivularis J.M.Wood & M.S.Evans
  291. Stachys rizeensis R.Bhattacharjee
  292. Stachys rosea (Desf.) Boiss.
  293. Stachys rothrockii A.Gray
  294. Stachys rotundifolia Moc. & Sessé ex Benth.
  295. Stachys rubella Hedge
  296. Stachys rudatisii Skan
  297. Stachys rugosa Aiton
  298. Stachys rupestris Montbret & Aucher ex Benth.
  299. Stachys salisii Jord. & Fourr.
  300. Stachys sanchezii Rzed. & A.García
  301. Stachys sandersii B.L.Turner
  302. Stachys saturejoides Montbret & Aucher ex Benth.
  303. Stachys saxicola Coss. & Balansa
  304. Stachys scaberula Vatke
  305. Stachys scabrida Skan
  306. Stachys schimperi Vatke
  307. Stachys semsurensis Firat
  308. Stachys serbica Pančić
  309. Stachys sericantha P.H.Davis
  310. Stachys sericea Cav.
  311. Stachys sericophylla Halácsy
  312. Stachys sessilifolia E.Mey.
  313. Stachys sessilis Gürke
  314. Stachys setifera C.A.Mey.
  315. Stachys siirtensis Ö.Güner & Akçiçek
  316. Stachys simplex Schltr.
  317. Stachys sintenisii Gand.
  318. Stachys sivasica Kit Tan & Yıldız
  319. Stachys sparsipilosa R.Bhattacharjee & Hub.-Mor.
  320. Stachys spathulata Burch. ex Benth.
  321. Stachys spectabilis Choisy ex DC.
  322. Stachys speluncarum Contandr. & Quézel
  323. Stachys sphaerodonta Baker
  324. Stachys spinosa L.
  325. Stachys spinulosa Sm.
  326. Stachys splendens Wall. ex Benth.
  327. Stachys spreitzenhoferi Heldr.
  328. Stachys sprucei Briq.
  329. Stachys spruneri Boiss.
  330. Stachys stebbinsii G.A.Mulligan & D.B.Munro
  331. Stachys stricta Greene
  332. Stachys strictiflora C.Y.Wu
  333. Stachys subaphylla Rech.f.
  334. Stachys sublobata Skan
  335. Stachys subnuda Montbret & Aucher ex Benth.
  336. Stachys swainsonii Benth.
  337. Stachys sylvatica L.
  338. Stachys taliensis C.Y.Wu
  339. Stachys talyschensis Kapeller
  340. Stachys tamaulipana B.L.Turner
  341. Stachys tenerrima Epling
  342. Stachys tenuifolia Willd.
  343. Stachys tetragona Boiss. & Heldr.
  344. Stachys thirkei K.Koch
  345. Stachys thracica Davidov
  346. Stachys thunbergii Benth.
  347. Stachys thuspeinantha Sennikov
  348. Stachys tlaxiacana B.L.Turner
  349. Stachys tmolea Boiss.
  350. Stachys torresii B.L.Turner
  351. Stachys tournefortii Poir.
  352. Stachys trichophylla Baker
  353. Stachys trinervis Aitch. & Hemsl.
  354. Stachys truncata Kunze ex Benth.
  355. Stachys tubulosa MacOwan
  356. Stachys tundjeliensis Kit Tan & Sorger
  357. Stachys turcomanica Trautv.
  358. Stachys turkestanica (Regel) Popov ex Knorring
  359. Stachys turneri Rzed. & Calderón
  360. Stachys tymphaea Hausskn.
  361. Stachys tysonii Skan
  362. Stachys uniflora A.Pool
  363. Stachys urticoides Epling
  364. Stachys venezuelana Briq.
  365. Stachys venulosa Greene
  366. Stachys veroniciformis Rech.f.
  367. Stachys virgata Bory & Chaub.
  368. Stachys viscosa Montbret & Aucher ex Benth.
  369. Stachys viticina Boiss.
  370. Stachys vulnerabilis Rzed. & Calderón
  371. Stachys vuralii Yıldız, Dirmenci & Akçiçek
  372. Stachys willemsei Kit Tan & Hedge
  373. Stachys woronowii (Schischk. ex Grossh.) R.R.Mill
  374. Stachys xanthantha C.Y.Wu
  375. Stachys yemenensis Hedge
  376. Stachys yildirimlii Dinç
  377. Stachys yingzuijieensis L.Wu & Y.P.Chen
  378. Stachys zepcensis Formánek
  379. Stachys zeyheri Skan
  380. Stachys zoharyana Eig

The Appeal of Stachys

What is it about Stachys that I find so compelling? Perhaps it’s their resilience. Many species thrive in challenging conditions, tolerating drought, poor soil, and even neglect. This hardiness makes them a welcome addition to any garden, providing beauty and interest with minimal fuss.  

Or maybe it’s their versatility. From the striking architectural form of Big Betony to the ground-hugging carpet of Lamb’s Ears, Stachys offers a diverse range of forms and textures that can enhance any landscape. They can be used as border plants, ground covers, or even in rock gardens. And let’s not forget the culinary uses of species like Chinese Artichoke, which adds a unique dimension to this fascinating genus.  

Beyond their aesthetic and practical value, I’m also intrigued by the historical and cultural significance of Stachys. Wood Betony, for example, has a rich history of use in traditional medicine, and its association with folklore and ancient beliefs adds a layer of mystique to this intriguing plant.  

Continuing the Exploration

My journey with Stachys is far from over. I’m eager to continue exploring this diverse genus, learning more about its individual species, their unique properties, and their potential benefits. Whether I’m admiring the velvety texture of Lamb’s Ears, marveling at the vibrant blooms of Big Betony, or delving into the historical uses of Wood Betony, I know that there’s always something new to discover in the world of Stachys.

This exploration is not just about expanding my own knowledge; it’s about appreciating the intricate beauty and complexity of the natural world. Stachys, with its diverse forms, resilience, and historical significance, serves as a reminder of the wonders that can be found in even the most unassuming of plants.

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