Lamium purpureum
Lamiaceae
All year, including January.
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Red Dead-nettle
It is an archaeophyte and a common plant of waste and
cultivated ground.
It is found by paths, railways and roads, at the edges of
fields and on brownfield sites.
Red Dead-nettle is an annual, native, mat-forming herb,
growing up to 40cm.
Flowers range from dark purple to pink and are up to 8mm.
There are 5 petals which are fused to form a tube and a
corolla with an upper lip formed from 2 petals and a lower,
3-lobed lip, formed from 3 petals.
The upper lip is entire and hooded and the lower lip has 2
lateral lobes, each with a small tooth and a divided, larger,
protruding central lobe.
The 4 stamens are within the hood of the upper lip.
The ovule, style and 2 stigmas are within the tube of the
flower and are not normally visible..
Leaves are heart-shaped and frequently bronzed.
Stems are 4-angled and may also be bronzed.
Previous page: Mexican Fleabane
Next page: Shepherd's-purse
Red Deadnettle in grassland, Dorset
Single plant from above
Side view - green and bronzed leaves
Plant tilted to show flowers
Close-up of flower - hooded upper lip and
3-lobed lower lip
Side view - hooded upper lip, 2 lateral lobes and
divided lobes of lower lip
Close-up of anthers within upper lip
Spreading angled stems
Close-up of angled stem
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