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Lamium amplexicaule - L.

Common Name Henbit, Henbit deadnettle
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Cultivated soil, usually on light dry soils[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa, W. Mediterranean and W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lamium amplexicaule Henbit, Henbit deadnettle


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh
Lamium amplexicaule Henbit, Henbit deadnettle
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lamium amplexicaule is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from April to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked[54, 62, 105]. Added to salads or used as a potherb[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic  Diaphoretic  Febrifuge  Laxative  Stimulant

The plant is antirheumatic, diaphoretic, excitant, febrifuge, laxative and stimulant[218, 240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Tolerates most soils and conditions. Prefers a light dry soil[17, 54]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - this species usually self sows freely and should not require human intervention. When required, it can be sown in situ as soon as it is ripe or in spring. The seed can germinate at any time of the year in the wild if conditions are suitable[17].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, China, Korea, Japan TROPICAL ASIA: India (north), Pakistan EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria (north), Egypt (north), Libya (north), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lamium albumWhite Dead NettlePerennial0.6 5-9 MLMHSNM233
Lamium galeobdolonYellow ArchangelPerennial0.3 3-9 FLMHFSNM213
Lamium purpureumRed Dead Nettle, Purple deadnettleAnnual0.3 4-8  LMHSNM210

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

david   Thu Dec 10 2009

Hazards:leaves have been reported toxic to cattle in Australia, but cooked are "evidently" safe for humans(source: Tim low. Wlid Herbs of Australia and New Zealand).This is one of my first choices when out of (or bored with) cultivated greens, because it is handy, always there, but also because it is perfectly pleasant to eat. I include it in a meal a few times a month.

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