Red Dead-Nettle is a
native
annual plant of the UK, typically found growing in hedgerows, cultivated ground and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 30cm.
The flowers of Red Dead-Nettle are actually pink, lilac or purple in colour, borne in whorls around the stem. The name 'Dead-Nettle' refers to the lack of stinging hairs on this plant despite its nettle-like leaves. When in flower, it is difficult to mistake the Dead-Nettle for the Stinging Nettle, as the latter has very inconspicuous male and female cream flowers, borne on long catkins.
Botanic classification and naming: Red Dead-Nettle is a member of the Mint (Lamiaceae) family. The genus name
'Lamium' identifies the plant as a Dead-Nettle and its species name 'purpureum' means 'purple'.
Benefits: A spring-time food source for bees and other insects.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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