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lamb’s ears
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lamb's ears lamb's ears
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Also called:
lamb’s ear
Related Topics:
woundwort
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lamb's ears
lamb's ears Lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina) in bloom.

lamb’s ears

plant
Also known as: Stachys byzantina, Stachys olympica, lamb’s ear(Show More)
Written by
Melissa Petruzzello
Melissa Petruzzello (she/her) is Assistant Managing Editor and covers plants, algae, fungi, insects, spiders, renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles certain topics in Christianity,...
Melissa Petruzzello
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

lamb’s ears, (Stachys byzantina), perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to parts of the Middle East. Lamb’s ears are commonly grown as ornamentals for their attractive fuzzy leaves, which are reminiscent of the soft ears of young lambs.

lamb's ears
lamb's earsLeaves of the lamb's ears plant (Stachys byzantina).

The plants commonly reach about 60 cm (24 inches) in height and are covered with densely matted hairs known as trichomes. The simple oval leaves are bright green when young and mature to silver-green or white, depending on the density of the hairs. The small pink flowers are borne in clusters and produce nutlet fruits; some varieties rarely flower. The plants are drought tolerant and can rot in humid conditions.

Melissa Petruzzello