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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lamium purpureum is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers 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 as a potherb[2, 4, 5, 8, 54, 62, 183]. The plant is a short-lived annual, but seeds can germinate at almost any time of the year and so the leaves are often available all year round.

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.
Astringent Diaphoretic Diuretic Purgative Styptic

The whole plant is astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative and styptic[4, 46]. A decoction of the plant is particularly useful for checking any kind of haemorrhage, whilst the fresh bruised leaves can be applied to external cuts and wounds[4].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily satisfied plant, it tolerates most soils and conditions. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes shade. A common garden weed, usually flowering at almost any time of the year and the seed is capable of germinating even in the winter if the weather is mild[17]. In rich soils the plant can grow quite lushly, in poor soils it will only grow a few centimetres tall before flowering and spreading its seed. The plant is easily controlled, however, and never really becomes a pest[K]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A good bee plant[4, 24]. Grows well with potatoes[14].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - plants usually self sow freely and should not require human intervention. When required, the seed can be sown in situ as soon as it is ripe.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Lebanon, Syria, Turkey EUROPE: Denmark, Finland (south), United Kingdom, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation-European part (European part (west)), Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece (Kríti), Italy (incl. Sardinia), Romania, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria (north), Morocco (north)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lamium album	White Dead Nettle	Perennial	0.6	5-9	M	LMH	SN	M	2	3	3
Lamium amplexicaule	Henbit, Henbit deadnettle	Annual	0.3	0-0		LM	N	DM	2	1	0
Lamium galeobdolon	Yellow Archangel	Perennial	0.3	3-9	F	LMH	FSN	M	2	1	3

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.

Lamium purpureum - L.