Cooley’s Hedge Nettle

Stachys cooleyae

Range: Southern BC to Northern California

Climate, elevation: Low elevation in wetter areas

Local occurrence: Common in Pacific North West

Habitat preferences: Very common in and near stream channels and also found in open woods, clearings and roadsides.

Plant strategy type/successional stage: Common under story species in open forests. Often found of gravel bars near rivers and streams in low elevations.

Associated species: Very closely related to Mexican hedge nettle.

May be collected as: Seed, or as division.

Collection restrictions or guidelines: Collect seeds from July- August, cuttings from mature plant

Seed germination: No seed dormancy. Germinates 15 days after sowing, with 40% success (Young, 2001).

Recommended seed storage conditions: Seeds should be stored in cool dry place (Young, 2001)

Propagation recommendations: Place flat on heated bench, and let establish for at least a month

Soil or medium requirements: Peat based mix, with coarse materials and plenty of water, to simulate streamside conditions.

Care requirements after installed: If installed in properly moist area, watering is not necessary

Sources cited

Young, Betty. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of container Stachys ajugoides Benth. var. ajugoides plants (4 inch pot); Golden Gate National Parks, San Francisco, California. In: Native Plant Network. URL: http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org (accessed 25 May 2006). Moscow (ID): University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources, Forest Research Nursery.

Pojar, Jim and Markinnon, Andy. 1994. Plants of The Pacific Northwest Coast Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska. B.C Forest Service, Research Program

Data compiled by: Joshua Hegarty, 25 May 2006