What kind of plant is this, it's a common weed here in north texas and grows all over my yard. It has a square stem and purple flowers.

Lamium amplexicaule most likely, look at this thread..

The thread "Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)" in Plant ID forum

Yep that's Henbit. Introduced species that, according to USDA site it grows in every state but Alaska.

ah ha, so that's what it is ... I've seen this weed before and didn't know what it was, either! (if the flowers were about 10 times bigger we'd all be wanting to grow it!)

That was quick, thanks everyone.

It's one of the earliest flowers (in my yard, it pretty much blooms all winter long), and that helps the pollinators when they come out in early spring. THat's the only reason I've not eradicated it (that, and my extension agent tells me the only sure way to get rid of it is to pull it up by hand)

Small is beautiful, and as Mary says, the flowers help pollinators. What better than to have a plant which flowers for a long time and requires little attention.

It may be weird, but I really like henbit. I do keep it out of my lawn but I allow it to remain in my beds. It makes a nice filler. As Janet said it flowers for most of the year and requires no attention. Plus purple is my favorite color

Also an alternate host for Strymon melinus, the grey hairstreak, as if they need more.

bonus for my butterfly garden

Chickensonmars said:Also an alternate host for Strymon melinus, the grey hairstreak, as if they need more.

Awesome! Now I have another answer if anyone asks me why I leave it in my front yard.

Scooter007, I hope you will upload your lovely photo to the database: Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)

I proposed the import of it.

Thanks Dave! I forgot all about that feature and that we can do that!