©Amy Lewis

Red dead-nettle

Red dead-nettle does not sting. It displays dense clusters of pinky-red flowers in whorls around its stem, and can be found on disturbed ground, such as roadside verges.

Scientific name

Lamium purpureum

When to see

March to October

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 30cm

Conservation status

Common.

Habitats

About

Red dead-nettle is a common plant of roadside verges, waste grounds and field edges - anywhere the ground has been disturbed or cultivated. Like yellow archangel, and other members of the dead-nettle family, it doesn't have stinging leaves. Its crimson flowers appear from March to October.

How to identify

Looking similar to a stinging nettle, red dead-nettle is a downy annual with heart-shaped, toothed leaves, and reddish, square stems. Dense whorls of pinky-red, 'hooded' flowers appear up the stem.

Distribution

Widespread.

Did you know?

Lots of different species of long-tongued insects visit the flowers of red dead-nettle, including the red mason bee and bumblebees. The caterpillars of garden tiger, white ermine and angle shades moths feed on the leaves.