Florida Botany Weed: What Is It?

Florida Betony (Stachys floridana), also known as rattlesnake weed, is a native plant found in Florida and the United States. It is a perennial herb with a square stem and opposite leaves, and is a problem weed in both turfgrasses and ornamentals. The plant belongs to the mint family and has hairy, square, upright stems that grow to between one and two feet tall. The leaves are opposite and connected to the stem by a 1½-inch long petiole.

Florida betony is a common wildflower that spreads prolifically and is attractive to pollinators. It is commonly found throughout the southeastern United States and is also known as wild artichoke or rattlesnake weed. To maintain a healthy, dense lawn, it is essential to fertilize and lime according to soil test results and mow at the proper height and frequency.

The genus name Stachys means “ear of grain” and alludes to the flower spike, while the species epithet floridana refers to the plant’s root tubers. If you find a plant with root tubers resembling egg casings or a rattlesnake’s rattle, you have found Florida Betony.

In summary, Florida betony is a problematic weed that can be managed by maintaining a healthy lawn, fertilizing and liming, and mowing at the appropriate height and frequency.

How to identify Florida betony?

The Florida betony is a species of weed that produces large, white, segmented tubers that resemble the tail of a rattlesnake. The plant is distinguished by its lance-shaped leaves with scalloped margins, square stems, and distinctive tubers that resemble those of rattlesnakes. While the leaves and growth habit of Healall (Prunella vulgaris) are similar, it lacks the scalloped margins and underground tubers that are characteristic of the Florida betony.

How to get rid of Florida betony weed?

Florida betony is a turfgrass disease that affects centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass, which are less tolerant to herbicides like 2, 4-D and dicamba. To control Florida betony, use herbicides labeled for these grasses during the cool months of the year, when Florida betony is actively growing. Atrazine is recommended for centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, and dormant bermudagrass, but not tall fescue, as it is not tolerant to atrazine.

Spot treatments of glyphosate can also be used, but they can be severely injured or killed if they contact green turfgrass leaves. Sprayable formulations of atrazine are recommended for mid- to late October during the fall growth flush, and additional applications in mid- to late February should coincide with the spring growth flush on warm-season turfgrasses. Fertilizer-based atrazine products should not be applied to centipedegrass during late fall or late winter, as they can predispose it to winter injury. New herbicides have been introduced to the turfgrass market, such as Monument, Manor, Revolver, and Speed-zone Southern, which provide good to excellent control of Florida betony.

What does betony smell like?

Florida Betony, a mint-family leaf, has a mild, peppery taste with slight muddy notes when eaten raw. However, its tough texture makes it unpalatable for culinary enjoyment. Instead, it can be made into tea or cooked spinach, which can be substituted with any dish suitable for cooked spinach. The plant was only discovered in the early 1800s during the Seminole wars and was only brought northward and westward, taking up residence from Texas to the Carolinas.

The plant’s history is limited, but it is known to have been used in poetry, medicine, and lore. A simple sauté in olive oil and garlic, followed by light steaming, is a great way to enjoy the pleasant flavor of Florida Betony.

How do you identify Florida betony?

Florida betony, also known as rattlesnake weed, is a plant that grows in full sun to part shade and can tolerate various soil conditions. Its underground tuber, segmented and white, resembles the rattle of a rattlesnake. New tubers form in late spring as temperatures increase and before the plant goes dormant in summer. Florida betony is a cool-season perennial that emerges from tubers during the cool, moist months of fall. It grows vigorously in the fall and stays green through winter unless very cold temperatures cause it to die back temporarily.

Growth resumes in early spring, and flowering occurs from late spring to early summer. Florida betony reproduces primarily from tubers and can be moved in sod and landscape plants. It is important to closely inspect plant material for Florida betony tubers.

What are the side effects of betony?

Betony, an herb originating from Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, has been used to treat various conditions such as asthma, heartburn, diarrhea, bladder and kidney stones, and headaches. However, there is no strong scientific evidence to support its use for these conditions. Some concerns include interference with blood pressure control during and after surgery. The chemicals in betony may decrease blood pressure, making it potentially useful for treating anxiety and headaches.

What is betony good for?

Betony, an herb native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, is used for medicinal purposes such as treating asthma, heartburn, diarrhea, bladder and kidney stones, and other conditions. However, there is no strong scientific evidence supporting these uses. Its chemicals may decrease blood pressure, potentially aiding in treating headaches and anxiety. Despite this, there is no strong scientific evidence supporting these claims.

What does betony taste like?

Stachys floridana is a plant native to Florida, known for its mild, peppery taste and mild, peppery taste. Its tubers, similar to water chestnuts or radishes, are suitable for stir-frying and can be eaten raw. The upper part of the plant can also add flavor to dinner plates. The greens, with their mild, peppery taste, are devoid of scent and can be eaten raw or cooked. However, the earliest spring leaves have a tough texture that is unpalatable for more than a garnish.

To substitute cooked spinach, sauté in olive oil and garlic, followed by steaming, and enjoy the pleasant flavor. Stachys floridana’s history is limited, but it was introduced to the lower half of Florida in the 1940s and quickly spread from Texas to the Carolinas.

How does Florida betony spread?

Florida betony, a weed that reproduces primarily from tubers, grows rapidly in landscape beds during winter. It can be moved in sod and landscape plants, but closely inspect purchased plant material. To control Florida betony, maintain a healthy lawn by fertilizing and liming, and mowing at the appropriate height and frequency. 3-way herbicides, which contain 2, 4-D, mecoprop (MCPP), dicamba, carfentrazone or sulfentrazone, are available for improved control. Home lawn weed control products and turfgrass compatibility are essential for maintaining a healthy lawn.

What is Florida betony good for?

Florida betony (Stachys floridana) is a native wildflower that is often misunderstood for its widespread spread, particularly in moist turf lawns. However, it is a valuable native wildflower for attracting bees and butterflies and is almost entirely edible to humans. The plant’s young leaves and stems can be cooked like greens or dried, and its seeds can be eaten raw. The plant’s star is its crunchy, radish-like tuber, which can be eaten raw or pickled.

The plant is also known as Rattlesnakeweed, which describes its “rattle”-like tuber. The genus name Stachys, meaning “ear of grain”, alludes to the flower spike, while the species epithet floridana references Florida, where the plant was first identified. Florida betony was initially endemic to Florida until the 1940s, when it began spreading north. It is now found from Virginia to Texas and is largely considered an aggressive weed.

Is Florida betony toxic?

The Florida betony, also referred to as betony, is edible and has no documented adverse effects on canines.

What is the magical use of betony?

Wood Betony, also known as lis bheathag in Gaelic, has been revered for its physical health benefits, powerful magic, protection against the evil eye, and prophetic dreams. It dispels negative energy and eases internal and external conflicts, making it a popular herb in European shamanic/spiritual practices. Emotionally and spiritually, it helps root and ground, making it perfect for those who are “spacey” and disconnected from their body and earth.