Lamium purpureum - Purple Deadnettle
Lamium purpureum - Purple Deadnettle
One of the first wild greens to appear in mid-winter, purple deadnettle offers early forage for bees. Common in Europe, this plant was brought over to the US and Canada.
We encourage Lamium purpureum to work as a groundcover in our forest garden.
Common Name: Purple deadnettle
Scientific Name: Lamium purpureum
Plant Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Primary Uses
Edible Parts: Young Leaves
Medicinal Uses: Astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative, and styptic.
Meaning of Scientific Name: From Latin labium- “lip,” from Greek Laimos-referring to the throat or gullet. Greek translation: “the devouring purple monster”
Designing with this Plant
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Forest garden layer: Cultivated beds
Fun Facts:
- Are called “Dead” because their leaves do not have the “sting” related to those of the nettle family
- Can self-pollinate
- The flowers are hermaphrodite
Look-Alikes: Lamium amplexicaule,“henbit”
Sources:
“Lamium purpureum” Plants For A Future
“Weed of the Month: Purple Deadnettle” Brookland Botanic Garden
”Purple Deadnettle” Edible Wild Food