Weed Henbit
Scientific Name Lamium amplexicaule
Family Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Life Cycle Winter annual
Reproduction Method Reproduces by seed and rooting stems.
Appearance Henbit stems droop and then turn upright to grow to 16 inches tall. They may root where they touch the ground. They are square, green to purplish, and smooth or hairy. The roots are fibrous.
Leaves The 1/2 to 1 inch long leaves of henbit are opposite, dark green and pubescent above and lighter below. The lower leaves have petioles and the upper leaves are borne directly on the stem. The leaves are ovate to circular have palmate venation. The leaf edges have rounded teeth and are crinkled at the edges.
Flowers Henbit flowers are tubular, pink to red to purple, and borne in whorls in the upper leaf axils. They appear to have two lips and are up to 3/4 inch long. Henbit normally flowers April to June and occasionally in September.
Occurrence Henbit is often found growing in moist, fertile soils.
Non Chemical Control To control henbit without herbicides, maintain density and health in established turf and avoid thin seedings in the autumn. Small populations can be hoed or hand pulled.
Chemical Control
Application Period Apply postemergence herbicides from mid through late spring and again from mid to late autumn. Preemergence herbicides should be applied in late summer before germination.
Active Ingredient in Labeled Products

Preemergent

Postemergent

  • dithiopyr
  • isoxaben
  • 2,4-D
  • 2,4-DP
  • chlorsulfuron*
  • clopyralid
  • dicamba
  • MCPA
  • MCPP
  • pendimethalin
  • prodiamine
  • triclopyr
*not on tall fescue or ryegrass turf
Notes Because henbit grows in cool conditions, it can be a problem in warm season turf.

(Click on Image to Enlarge and Sharpen Photograph)

Henbit cotyledon

Henbit 2nd leaf

Henbit in turf

Henbit stem

Henbit mature plant

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