Lamium amplexicaule

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Lamium amplexicaule
Lamium amplexicaule (52878370216).jpg
Henbit dead-nettle in Belgium
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Lamium
Species:
L. amplexicaule
Binomial name
Lamium amplexicaule
L.
Subspecies and varieties [1]
  • L. amplexicaule var. aleppicum (Boiss. & Hausskn.) Bornm.
  • L. amplexicaule subsp. amplexicaule
  • L. amplexicaule var. bornmuelleri Mennema
  • L. amplexicaule var. incisum Boiss.
  • L. amplexicaule subsp. mauritanicum (Gand. ex Batt.) Maire
  • L. amplexicaule var. orientale (Pacz.) Mennema
Synonyms [1]
List
    • Neckeria amplexicaulis (L.) Forsyth f.
    • Galeobdolon amplexicaule (L.) Moench
    • Lamiella amplexicaulis (L.) Fourr.
    • Lamiopsis amplexicaulis (L.) Opiz
    • Pollichia amplexicaulis (L.) Willd.

Lamium amplexicaule, commonly known as henbit dead-nettle, [2] is a species of Lamium native to the Old World. The specific name refers to the leaves, which are amplexicaul (clasping the stem).

Contents

Description

It is a low-growing annual plant growing to 10–25 cm (4–10 in) (rarely to 40 cm) tall, thinly pubescent with soft, finely hairy stems. The leaves are opposite, rounded to kidney-shaped, 2–3 cm (341+14 in) diameter, with a lobed margin, and often with long internodes. The lower leaves are stalked and the upper ones stalkless, often fused, and clasping the stems. The flowers are pink to purple, relatively large, 1.5–2 cm (1234 in) long, and form a few-flowered terminal spike with axillary whorls. The calyx is regular with five lobes and closes up after flowering. The corolla is purplish-red, fused into a usually erect tube 15 to 20 mm (12 to 34 in) long. The upper lip is convex, 3 to 5 mm (18 to 316 in) long and the lower lip has three lobes, two small side ones and a larger central one 1.5 to 2.5 mm (116 to 18 in) long. There are four stamens, two long and two short. The gynoecium has two fused carpels and the fruit is a four-chambered schizocarp. [3] [4]

This plant flowers very early in the spring even in northern areas, and for most of the winter and early spring in warmer locations such as the Mediterranean region. At times of year when there are not many pollinating insects, the flowers self-pollinate.

Taxonomy

Lamium amplexicaule was described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. [5]

Distribution and habitat

Henbit dead-nettle is native most of Europe, Asia and North Africa, and has since been spread around the world by human activity. [1] It is found growing in open areas, gardens, fields and meadows, and widely in uncultivated areas in urban habitats. [2] [4] [6] It propagates freely by seed, where it becomes a key part of a meadow ecosystem; sometimes entire fields will be reddish-purple with its flowers before spring ploughing.

It is widely naturalised in eastern North and South America, New Zealand, South Africa and Tasmania. [1] Its attractive appearance, edibility, and readiness to grow in many climates often mean it is permitted to grow when other weeds are not.[ citation needed ]

Its status in Great Britain and Ireland is disputed; some sources give it as native, [7] [8] while others cite it as an archaeophyte. [2] [1]

Ecology

The seed is eaten by many species of birds. [9] Where common, it is an important nectar and pollen plant for bees, especially honeybees. It also provides forage for animals.

This plant, though common, is not regarded as a threat to local ecosystems.[ citation needed ]

Uses

The young leaves and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked, [10] [6] as can the stems and flowers. Henbit dead-nettle has a slightly sweet and peppery flavour, similar to celery.

Related Research Articles

<i>Lamium</i> Genus of flowering plants

Lamium (dead-nettles) is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae, of which it is the type genus. They are all herbaceous plants native to Eurasia and northern Africa, with several widely naturalised across much of the temperate world.

<i>Lamium purpureum</i> Plant species in the mint family

Lamium purpureum, known as red dead-nettle, purple dead-nettle, or purple archangel, is an annual herbaceous flowering plant. It is native to Eurasia but can also be found in North America.

<i>Leucanthemum vulgare</i> Species of flowering plant

Leucanthemum vulgare, commonly known as the ox-eye daisy, oxeye daisy, dog daisy, marguerite and other common names, is a widespread flowering plant native to Europe and the temperate regions of Asia, and an introduced plant to North America, Australia and New Zealand.

<i>Caltha palustris</i> Species of flowering plant in the buttercup family

Caltha palustris, known as marsh-marigold and kingcup, is a small to medium sized perennial herbaceous plant of the buttercup family, native to marshes, fens, ditches and wet woodland in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It flowers between April and August, dependent on altitude and latitude, but occasional flowers may occur at other times.

<i>Cornus canadensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Cornus canadensis is a species of flowering plant in the dogwood family Cornaceae, native to eastern Asia and North America. Common names include Canadian dwarf cornel, Canadian bunchberry, quatre-temps, crackerberry, and creeping dogwood. Unlike its relatives, which are for the most part substantial trees and shrubs, C. canadensis is a creeping, rhizomatous perennial growing to about 20 centimetres tall.

<i>Silene flos-cuculi</i> Species of flowering plant

Silene flos-cuculi, commonly called ragged-robin, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Eurasia and has been introduced to North America.

<i>Maianthemum racemosum</i> Species of flowering plant

Maianthemum racemosum, the treacleberry, feathery false lily of the valley, false Solomon's seal, Solomon's plume or false spikenard, is a species of flowering plant native to North America. It is a common, widespread plant with numerous common names and synonyms, known from every US state except Hawaii, and from every Canadian province and territory, as well as from Mexico.

<i>Lamium galeobdolon</i> Species of flowering plant

Lamium galeobdolon, the yellow archangel, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to Europe and western Asia but it is widely introduced in North America and elsewhere. It is the only species in the genus Lamium with yellow flowers. Another common name for this species is golden dead-nettle. In New Zealand, it is called the aluminium plant or artillery plant. The common names archangel and dead-nettle have been in use for hundreds of years, dating back to at least the 16th century.

<i>Vaccinium myrtillus</i> Berry and plant

Vaccinium myrtillus or European blueberry is a holarctic species of shrub with edible fruit of blue color, known by the common names bilberry, blaeberry, wimberry, and whortleberry. It is more precisely called common bilberry or blue whortleberry to distinguish it from other Vaccinium relatives.

<i>Berberis vulgaris</i> Species of shrub

Berberis vulgaris, also known as common barberry, European barberry or simply barberry, is a shrub in the genus Berberis native to the Old World. It produces edible but sharply acidic berries, which people in many countries eat as a tart and refreshing fruit.

<i>Lamium album</i> Species of flowering plant

Lamium album, commonly called white dead-nettle, is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native throughout Europe and Asia, growing in a variety of habitats from open grassland to woodland, generally on moist, fertile soils.

Henbit may refer to:

<i>Anemonastrum canadense</i> Species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae

Anemonastrum canadense, synonym Anemone canadensis, the Canada anemone, round-headed anemone, round-leaf thimbleweed, meadow anemone, windflower, or crowfoot, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. It is native to moist meadows, thickets, streambanks, and lakeshores in North America, spreading rapidly by underground rhizomes. It is valued for its white flowers.

<i>Galeopsis tetrahit</i> Species of plant

Galeopsis tetrahit, the common hemp-nettle or brittlestem hempnettle, is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to Europe and northwestern Asia.

<i>Lamium maculatum</i> Plant species in the mint family

Lamium maculatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native throughout Europe and temperate Asia.

<i>Phlox pilosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Phlox pilosa, the downy phlox or prairie phlox, is an herbaceous plant in the family Polemoniaceae. It is native to eastern North America, where it is found in open areas such as prairies and woodlands.

<i>Stachys sylvatica</i> Species of herb

Stachys sylvatica, commonly known as hedge woundwort, whitespot, or sometimes as hedge nettle, is a perennial herbaceous plant growing to 80 cm (31 in) tall in woodland and unmanaged grassland. In temperate zones of the northern hemisphere it flowers in July and August. The flowers are purple. The leaves, when crushed or bruised, give off an unpleasant fetid smell.

<i>Galeopsis bifida</i> Plant species in the mint family

Galeopsis bifida is an annual plant native to Europe and Asia but now found in Canada and the northeastern, midwestern parts of the United States. It has many common names such as bifid hemp-nettle, split-lip hemp-nettle, common hemp-nettle, and large-flowered hemp-nettle. The genus name means weasel-like, referring to the corolla of the flower. It is often confused with other species of Lamiaceae such as Mentha arvensis, Dracocephalum parviflorum and Stachys pilosa.

<i>Veronica perfoliata</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae

Veronica perfoliata, commonly known as digger's speedwell, is a common perennial herb found at higher altitudes in south-eastern Australia. It is a low-growing multi-stemmed plant rising from a woody rootstock. It has rounded blue-grey foliage and sprays of intense violet-blue flowers at the end of arching branches. It is occasionally cultivated as a garden plant.

<i>Lamium hybridum</i> Species of flowering plant

Lamium hybridum, the cut-leaved dead-nettle, is a species of Lamium native to western and northern Europe and northwestern Africa. The specific name means 'hybrid'; however, Dominique Villars, in describing the species, did not give his reasons for selecting this name. The English name refers to the deeply cut leaves, unlike the shallower lobes of other related species of Lamium.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Lamium amplexicaule L." Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 P.A. Stroh; T. A. Humphrey; R.J. Burkmar; O.L. Pescott; D.B. Roy; K.J. Walker, eds. (2020). "Henbit Dead-nettle Lamium amplexicaule L." BSBI Online Plant Atlas 2020. Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  3. Streeter D, Hart-Davies C, Hardcastle A, Cole F, Harper L. 2009. Collins Flower Guide. Harper Collins ISBN   9-78-000718389-0
  4. 1 2 "Henbit dead-nettle: Lamium amplexicaule". NatureGate. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  5. "Lamium amplexicauleL.". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens . Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Henbit, Lamium amplexicaule". Wisconsin Horticulture. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  7. Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN   0-340-40170-2
  8. Swan, George A. (1993). Flora of Northumberland. Hancock Museum: Natural History Society of Northumbria. p. 205. ISBN   0 9520782 0 1.
  9. "A Little Bit of Henbit". Southern meadows. 2015-02-06.
  10. Elias, Thomas S.; Dykeman, Peter A. (2009) [1982]. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. New York: Sterling. p. 116. ISBN   978-1-4027-6715-9. OCLC   244766414.