deadnettle

Deadnettle is the common name for several species in the genus Lamium, a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). The name comes from the plant’s nettle-like leaves, which lack the stinging hairs of true nettles, giving the impression of a “dead” nettle.

Description and varieties: Dead-nettles are herbaceous plants with square stems and opposite, decussate leaves. Leaves are usually triangular or heart-shaped with serrated edges. The flowers are tubular and two-lipped, arranged in dense clusters in the leaf axils. Colors vary by species and include purple, pink, and white. The most familiar forms are purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) and white dead-nettle (Lamium album). Other ornamental and native lamiums, such as yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon), have yellow flowers and are used in gardens.

Distribution and habitat: Lamium species are native to Europe and western Asia and have been introduced to many temperate regions worldwide. They commonly grow in moist, fertile soils and can thrive in shade, woodland edges, hedgerows, lawns, and disturbed areas. Some species behave as annuals or short-lived perennials, while others persist as creeping perennials.

Ecology and human use: Dead-nettles attract pollinators, particularly bees, and can spread rapidly via seeds or creeping stems. They are often considered garden weeds but can function as ground cover in appropriate settings. In traditional herbal and culinary contexts, young leaves of some dead-nettles have been used as greens and in folk remedies, though uses and safety vary by species and locale.

Overall, dead-nettles are non-stinging, attractive-to-pollinator lamium species valued for their simple beauty and ground-covering habit, with a long history in gardens and naturalized landscapes.