Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle)

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) on 4-8-18, #423-17.

Dead Nettle, Purple Deadnettle or Dead Nettle, Red Nettle, Red Henbit, Purple Nettle, Archangel, Etc.

Lamium purpureum

**(Lamium purpureum var. purpureum)**

LAY-mee-um pur-PUR-ee-um

**Synonyms of Lamium purpureum: (1) (Updated on 12-19-23 from Plants of the World Online):** Lamiopsis purpurea (L.) Opiz (1852)
**Synonyms of Lamium purpureum var. purpureum (18) (Updated on 12-19-23 from POWO):** Lamium albiflorum Schur (1866), Lamium bifidum subsp. albimontanum Rech.f. (1943), Lamium boreale Druce (1924), Lamium coesfeldiae Weihe ex Rchb. (1825), Lamium decipiens Sond. ex Martrin-Donos (1864), Lamium durandoi Pomel (1874), Lamium foetidum Garsault (1764)(opus utique oppr.), Lamium foetidum Gilib. (1792)(opus utique oppr.), Lamium guestphalicum Weihe ex Nyman (1881), Lamium hybridum var. exannulatum Loret (1886), Lamium molle Aiton (1789), Lamium nudum Crantz (1769), Lamium ocimifolium Sm. (1812), Lamium purpureum f. albiflora Gérard (1890), Lamium purpureum var. albiflorum Dumort. (1827), Lamium purpureum f. albiflorum H.Lindb. (1932)(nom. illeg.), Lamium purpureum var. decipiens Sond. ex W.D.J.Koch (1844), Lamium purpureum var. exannulatum Loret & Barrandon (1876), Lamium purpureum var. integrum Gray (1821 publ. 1822)

Lamium purpureum L. is the accepted scientific name for Henbit. The genus and species were named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

Accepted infraspecific names (4)(Updated on 12-29-22): Lamium purpureum var. ehrenbergii (Boiss. & Reut.) Mennema, Lamium purpureum var. incisum (Willd.) Pers., Lamium purpureum var. moluccellifolium Schumach., Lamium purpureum var. purpureum (Autonym). When an infraspecific taxon is named, an autonym (“type-specimen”) is automatically generated whose description is closest to the (original) species. All have their own list of synonyms.

As of 12-19-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 31 accepted species in the Lamium genus. It is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae with 232 accepted genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

Distribution map of Lamium purpureum from Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/. Retrieved on February 21, 2020.

The above distribution map of Lamium purpureum is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green show where the species is native, purple is where it has been introduced, and gold is where it is doubtful. The USDA Plants Database map is the same for North America.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) on 4-22-18, #428-4.

Lamium purpureum is one of the first wildflowers to bloom on the farm in the spring. I think the first is probably Veronica persica (Bird’s Eye Speedwell) which you might not notice because they are so tiny.

Both Lamium amplexicaule and Lamium purpureum grow in abundance here and there They do very well in areas where the grass is mowed so they can have their way in the spring. Actually, they grow so thick in some areas that the grass doesn’t have a chance.

Lamium purpureum is considered a winter annual with square stems and petiolate, kind of heart-shaped leaves. Plants start flowering in March and continue through May then fizzle out. They go dormant during the heat of the summer then their seeds germinate in the fall. Depending on their climate, Lamium purpureum can also be a summer annual.

There are more photos taken in 2021, 2022, and 2023 at the bottom of the page below the links for further reading…

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) on 4-23-18, #429-2.

Lamium purpureum was named after the purple-tinted leaves at the top of the stems. Lamium species are members of the Nettle Family, Lamiaceae, but do not have stinging hairs. Thus, species in the Lamium genus are considered deadnettles, which just happens to be one of the common names for this species.

In layman’s terms, the flowers have an upper and a lower lip. The lower lips are divided into two lobes and there are also very small side lobes. I need to keep trying to take good close-ups of the flowers but they always come out blurry… Even with two magnifying glasses… 🙂 It is hard to write descriptions when there is no photo.

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) on 4-10-19, #559-3.

Although information suggests Lamium purpureum can grow to 2 1/2′ tall, I haven’t seen any on the farm past around 10-12″. Smaller plants are kind of sprawly but then grow upright to become quite impressive plants in the right conditions…

<<<<2020>>>>

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) on 2-21-20, #670-6.

I started getting more into wildflower ID in 2019 and started taking more detailed photos and writing about them.

The photo above is of young plants before flowering. At this time, its leaves are similar to young plants of Lamium amplexicaule (Henbit), and leaves of Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy). It is virtually impossible for an amateur (like me) to tell them apart since they all grow in the same areas and like the same conditions. Once flowering begins and the leaves change shape there is no problem. The Lamium species leaves change while Glechoma hederacea remains basically the same. Plants growing in full sun fizzle out during the summer as temperatures rise and it doesn’t rain as much. The Lamium amplexicaule can take the heat better and even grow in the grass in some areas. The Lamium purpureum does best and grows taller along buildings where they aren’t mowed off. The Glechoma hederacea prefers the front yard under the maple trees in the shade where they last all summer into fall.

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) on 3-3-20, #673-9.

On March 3 (2020) I noticed some of the Lamium amplexicaule and purpureum were beginning to flower. It looks like the flowers are peeking out from under the leaves.

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) on 3-3-20, #673-10.

The upper heart-shaped leaves start to grow longer as the plant matures and starts to droop downward.

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) on 3-3-20, #673-11.

Lamium purpureum grows more upright once they start flowering. Their 4-angled stems (square) are a maroonish color but more green toward the top. Stems usually branch out at the bottom and as the plants grow the lower 1/3 be absent of leaves. As you can see by the above photo, the petioles and stems are “glabrous to slightly pubescent” which means smooth to slightly hairy.

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) on 3-3-20, #673-12.

The above photo was taken on March 3 (2020) and shows the heart-shaped, purplish-tinted leaves of the Lamium purpureum. As the plants mature, many changes take place…

Lamium purpureum on 3-9-20, #675-1.

The leaves grow in an opposite manner along the stems, each pair rotating 90° from the pair below.

Lamium amplexicaule on the left and Lamium purpureum on the right, 3-9-20, #675-2.

It had been raining when I took these photos on March 9 but I wanted to get photos anyway. While I was at it I took a photo of the two Lamium species for a comparison photo. The tubes of the flowers of Lamium amplexicaule (on the left) were much longer and the flowers are darker, especially the hood. Notice the leaves of the Lamium amplexicaule are more frilly looking.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 3-21-20, #678-21.

At this stage, on March 21 in 2020, the leaves have longer petioles (stem between the leaf and the plant’s stem). This will change as plants mature.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 3-21-20, #678-22.

Typically, plants produce a terminal cluster of flowers “near” the top of the stems (apex). This is odd because most of the plants I photograph do not have a terminal cluster of flowers because they just keep growing. Most of the plants I photograph show flowers produced above the leaf axils (where the petiole emerges at the nodes). Ummm… Each flower is surrounded by bractlets but they are easily missed…

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 3-21-20, #678-23.

The above photo shows branches coming from the leaf nodes…

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 3-21-20, #678-26.

In layman’s terms, the leaves are broad, kind of triangular or heart-shaped (cordate), with scalloped (crenate) margins. The leaves have a lot of veins which give them a wrinkly appearance. The leaves will become longer as plants mature and the upper leaves will take on a purplish color.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 3-21-20, #678-27.

The undersides of the leaves show a different view of the heavily veined leaves. Both leaf surfaces are densely pubescent with fine hairs.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 3-21-20, #678-29.

The above photo shows lower flowers emerging at the leave axils… Can you see the bractlets?

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 3-21-20, #678-31.

The above shows plants with leaves that have gotten a little longer and more pointed.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 4-4-20, #683-29.

In an area north of the chicken house, east of the garden, the grass doesn’t grow. Early spring in this area comes alive with Lamium amplexicaule, Lamium purpureum, and Glechoma hederacea. They don’t grow well in this spot, but they flower up a storm which leads to more seeds. So, they persist year after year. Once it gets hot, this area becomes a big bare spot.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 4-4-20, #683-30.

The Lamium purpureum is in heaven along the south side of the chicken house. The conditions are just right and they grow to about a foot tall.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 4-4-20, #683-31.

I think the photos above were taken of a colony between the back deck and basement steps on the east side of the house…

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 4-4-20, #683-32.

This is kind of a neat photo with the flowers peeking out between the leaves.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on the left and Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy) on the right on 4-4-20, #683-33.

Here we go… A comparison between Lamium purpureum on left and Glechoma hederacea on the right.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on the right and Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy) on the left on 4-4-20, #683-34.

This is the same area as photo #683-29. I must have circled around and noticed the Glechoma… GEEZ!

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 4-11-20, #686-33.

THEN, on April 11 when I came back from a walk to the back of the farm, I noticed something weird north of the pond in the small clearing close to the fence. I could hardly believe my eyes! Lamium purpureum with white flowers! I had never seen them here before…

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 4-11-20, #686-34.

Descriptions of their flowers indicate they can be pale pink, lavender, pinkish-purple, or white. This was really something and a real surprise…

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 4-11-20, #686-35.

They are basically like albinos. Even the leaves are very light green… You just never know what nature will show you.

Lamium purpureum (Deadnettle) on 4-11-20, #686-36.

OK… Here they are. On this damaged plant you can clearly see the bracts without the flowers present. You don’t notice these so much because we are always looking at the flowers and leaves. These bracts surround the flowers and have five outward spreading teeth…

MORE PHOTOS FROM 2021, 2022, AND 2023 ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE…

I will continue taking photos and adding better descriptions. It is better with photos.:) Several of the links below show better photos and have “technical” descriptions. I prefer to explain in layman’s terms otherwise I just as well copy and paste. But then I would have to use the glossary to figure out what I wrote.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the farm and other areas. I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of this site). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
GO BOTANY
FLORA FINDER
EDIBLE WILD FOOD

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂