---
{
  "id": "lambs-ear",
  "name": "Lamb’s-ear",
  "scientific": "Stachys byzantina",
  "category": "xeriscape",
  "status": "Introduced low-water perennial",
  "status_sources": [
    "N-stachys-byzantina"
  ],
  "warning": "Can spread; pet evidence gap",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [
    "lamb's-ear",
    "lamb's ears"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "Cultivars differ in flowering and leaf size. Deer resistance does not demonstrate safety for pets.",
  "source_ids": [
    "N-stachys-byzantina"
  ],
  "description": "Lamb’s-ear: Can spread; pet evidence gap. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "N-stachys-byzantina"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "lambs-ear-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "N-stachys-byzantina"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "lambs-ear-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "A recommendation for sensory gardens is not a human ingestion-safety assessment.",
      "id": "lambs-ear-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "lambs-ear-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "lambs-ear-5"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "lambs-ear-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "lambs-ear-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "lambs-ear-5"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/lambs-ear.md"
}
---

# Lamb’s-ear

*Stachys byzantina*

**Introduced low-water perennial.** [N-stachys-byzantina](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stachys-byzantina/)

> **Can spread; pet evidence gap.** Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Cultivars differ in flowering and leaf size. Deer resistance does not demonstrate safety for pets.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

![Magnified lamb's-ear leaf tip densely covered in silvery hairs, with a 10 mm scale.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-stachys-byzantina-05.jpg)

**leaf detail** — Magnified lamb's-ear leaf tip densely covered in silvery hairs, with a 10 mm scale.

Photo: Stefan.lefnaer; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stachys_byzantina_sl28.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Stachys_byzantina_sl28.jpg). Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.  Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Close view of a soft, woolly shoot tip and unfolding pale leaves.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-stachys-byzantina-09.jpg)

**young foliage** — Close view of a soft, woolly shoot tip and unfolding pale leaves.

Photo: Salicyna; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stachys_byzantina_2020-05-20_8717.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Stachys_byzantina_2020-05-20_8717.jpg). Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.  Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Several upright woolly flower spikes bearing pink-purple flowers above fuzzy elongated leaves.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-stachys-byzantina-10.jpg)

**flower** — Several upright woolly flower spikes bearing pink-purple flowers above fuzzy elongated leaves.

Photo: Cbaile19; [CC0](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stachys_byzantina,_2015-06-02,_Beechview,_01.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Stachys_byzantina%2C_2015-06-02%2C_Beechview%2C_01.jpg). Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.  Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

Thick, soft, woolly silver leaves form low rosettes; flowering forms carry purplish-pink spikes. [N-stachys-byzantina](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stachys-byzantina/)

## Plants & habitat

Stems root where they touch soil. It can spread aggressively in favorable conditions; divide when needed and avoid wet soil. [N-stachys-byzantina](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stachys-byzantina/)

## People

A recommendation for sensory gardens is not a human ingestion-safety assessment. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Dogs & cats

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Other animals

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **N-stachys-byzantina** — [Stachys byzantina — Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stachys-byzantina/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:58+00:00. Locator: Description, Attributes, Poisonous to Humans, Problems.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=lambs-ear) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Taxon and evidence boundaries

Cultivars differ in flowering and leaf size. Deer resistance does not demonstrate safety for pets.

These are publisher notes about the evidence. They do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. The human sections above contain all actionable safety warnings. Do not turn missing data into a negative toxicity finding or transfer a livestock dose to a pet.

| Claim | Human section | Evidence scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lambs-ear-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-stachys-byzantina | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| lambs-ear-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-stachys-byzantina | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| lambs-ear-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | A recommendation for sensory gardens is not a human ingestion-safety assessment. |
| lambs-ear-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |
| lambs-ear-5 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |

## Additional evidence needed

- Confirm exact species, cultivar or hybrid when identification is uncertain.
- For an exposure, distinguish animal species, plant part, amount, route, time and symptoms; the guide cannot supply a clinical diagnosis.
- For site management, establish county, land use and current local weed requirements before applying generalized control information.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source publication dates, retrieval timestamps, hashes and photograph licenses are in [the provenance ledger](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/lambs-ear/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/lambs-ear/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/lambs-ear/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json