Beefsteak Plant (Perilla frutescens)

Native to eastern Asia. Here in North America it is a exotic invasive. On the road coming up my mountain it is a common sight. Like other members of the Lamiaceae or mint family it has a square stem. The plants that grow in full sun have leaves that are dark purply-red resembling raw beef, which reflects its common name of “Beefsteak” Plant. Growing in the shade produces a green plant. Leaves are opposite, on long petioles, coarsley toothed, the upper surfaces have sunken veins, the lower surfaces, prominent veins.

Beefsteak Plant is poisonous to cattle, horses, goats, and other ruminants, and can cause death.

I went out this afternoon, right after it rained, and got this picture of many Beefsteak Plants. Look what it’s growing with, Japanese Stiltgrass, another exotic invasive. I wonder which will win the contest to block the native plants. Actually, here, I think they both have won. No natives in sight.