Plant species

red dead-nettle Lamium purpureum

Lamiaceae

Species information

Description

A mint-family herb with square stems, opposite leaves and two-lipped flowers arranged in false whorls. A common annual of fields, gardens and disturbed ground, with upper leaves often flushed purple and very early flowering in mild weather.

Plant traits

Growth form

annual forb

Life cycle

annual

Height

10–30 cm

Typical season

123456789101112

Active growth

Flowering

Fruiting

Timing varies with site and year.

Habitat conditions

Habitat

arable land · gardens and parks · ruderal habitats

Light

full sun · partial shade

Moisture

mesic

Soil

indifferent

Substrate

indifferent

Pollination

insect pollination

Status

native

Interesting facts

Its pink-purple flowers can feed early bees in mild weather when few other weeds are in bloom.

LifeSystems

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