Henbit Deadnettle, Conejitos, zapatitos de la Virgen

Description:

Annual plant growing to 10-25 cm tall, with soft, finely hairy stems. The leaves are opposite, rounded, 2-3 cm diameter, with a lobed margin. The flowers are pink to purple, 1.5-2 cm long. It flowers very early in the spring even in northern areas, and for most of the winter and the early spring in warmer areas such as the Mediterranean region. It propagates freely by seed and is regarded as a minor weed. Sometimes entire fields will be reddish-purple with its flowers before spring ploughing. Where common, is an important nectar and pollen plant for bees, especially honeybees, where it helps start the spring buildup.

Habitat:

Small prairie in a Holm oak forest

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/640 sec.; f/11; ISO Speed Rating: 200. Focal Length: 90.0 mm.