Common name: Stagger Weed
Stachys arvensis (L.) L. APNI* 
Description: Annual herb to 35 cm high; branches densely covered with multicellular ± spreading hairs.
Leaves with lamina broad-ovate or broad-triangular, 1–4 cm long, 0.8–3.2 cm wide; apex subacute; base cordate or truncate, rarely cuneate; margins regularly toothed to crenate; petiole 0–3 cm long.
Inflorescence mostly 3-flowered per bract or leaf axil. Calyx 10-ridged, 5–7 mm long; lobes pointed and equal in length. Corolla 5–7 mm long; white or pale pink; tube as long as lower lobe.
Flowering: mainly May–November
Distribution and occurrence: Common weed of disturbed areas; widespread from coastal to inland districts. Native of SW & C Eur., N Afr. and possibly N Amer.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC, *SC, *NT, *CT, *NWS, *CWS, *NWP, *LHI
Other Australian states: *Qld *Vic. *Tas. *S.A. *W.A.
Suspected of causing 'staggers' and, in severe cases, mortality in livestock.
Text by B. J. Conn
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 3 (1992)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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