Question of the Week – Henbit

What is this cool-season weed that is turning fallow fields purple right now?

This is henbit (Lamium amplexicaule). This annual cool-season weed germinates in the fall and grows throughout the winter. It begins blooming in the late-winter, with some blooms visible earlier during warm spells. This time of year, fallow fields often have enough henbit blooming to make them appear purple. Henbit is considered a weed in cool-season crops like brassicas, green onions, herbs, and winter grains, though it is also an important early season source of pollen and nectar for bees. Read more about henbit here.

This week’s question is from Justin Ballew, Extension Fruit and Vegetable Research Associate.