#henbit dead-nettle

[rebeccathenaturalist]

How to Identify Red Deadnettle

Originally posted on my website at https://rebeccalexa.com/how-to-identify-red-deadnettle/

Name: Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)

Range and typical habitat(s): Native to large areas of Europe and Asia. Introduced invasive in United States, New Zealand, and  scattered areas of South America

Distinguishing physical characteristics (size, colors, overall shapes, detail shapes): Keep your eyes on lawns, gardens, roadsides, and other sunny areas this spring, and you may very well see the green and purple foliage of red deadnettle.

These heart-shaped leaves with softly serrated edges are covered in fine hairs. Leaves near the top of the slender, square-shaped stem are more of a reddish purple hue, while lower, larger leaves are a medium green. The leaves rarely exceed an inch and a half in length, and are attached to the stem with a slender stalk. Each leaf has palmate veins–several primary veins all starting near the stem–branching off multiple times into a reticulated network of smaller veins.

At the top of the stem, which may be almost a foot long in extraordinary specimens, you may find tiny pinkish purple trumpet-shaped flowers. A close look reveals one large petal at the top, two smaller ones at the bottom, and sometimes a few tiny ones in the space in between. While flowers are easily in evidence this time of year, red deadnettle may flower in other seasons if conditions are favorable. As it is an annual, it will die back in fall, but new generations are quick to germinate before winter sets in. For those wishing to remove it from their gardens, the shallow root systems mean that it is easy to pull up, especially in wet soil.

Red deadnettle is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). While it resembles a very tiny stinging nettle (Urtica spp.), its tiny hairs do not cause irritation, hence being described as “dead”. Other common names for this plant include purple deadnettle and purple archangel.

Other organisms it could be confused with and how to tell the difference: Purple henbit (Lamium amplexicale) is the most common lookalike for red deadnettle. They inhabit the same habitat types and are of similar size and colors. Upon closer inspection, the leaves are a good way to tell the difference. Henbit leaves are more rounded in shape with a scalloped, rather than serrated, edge. In fact, they almost give the impression of one large round leaf surrounding the square stem, especially near the top. The upper leaves have no stalks, while lower leaves have short stalks. While henbit has similar flowers, they are longer than those of deadnettle.

Note how henbit’s leaves and flowers are shaped and arranged differently than deadnettle’s.

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is similar to purple henbit, but the rounded, scalloped leaves are often a darker green on a green to dark red stem. Also, all the leaves have a small stem. It is easily differentiated from deadnettle by its flowers, which although being of a similar shaped are blue to purple in color. Ground ivy is also more shade-tolerant than deadnettle. As with the others, it is a European plant that has become invasive in North America.

Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) is yet another European wildflower that has taken root in North America and New Zealand, and to a lesser degree in South America. Its size is the most obvious way to differentiate it from red deadnettle and the rest; it grows on a single stalk that may be over thirty inches tall. The serrated, oval leaves and the yellow flowers are also larger than those of deadnettle, and there is no reddish tint to the foliage.

The stinging nettles (Urtica spp.) can similarly be differentiated from red dead nettle by size. Particularly tall specimens may reach seven feet high, and the green, heart-shaped leaves can be up to six inches long. The leave margins are more sharply serrated and the end is pointier. And, as the name suggests, the leaves and stems have hairs that inject irritating chemicals into the skin.

Anything else worth mentioning? Red deadnettle is a beginner-friendly edible plant for foraging. Henbit is the plant it’s most likely to be confused with, and it is also edible. People most commonly eat the young leaves and flowers at the top of the plant; they may be eaten raw or cooked. Because it is an invasive species, you are encouraged to pick the whole plant before it goes to seed, eat what you want of it, and compost the rest.

Further Reading:

Red Dead-Nettle

Lawn and Turfgrass Weeds: Dead Nettle

Dead Nettle, Henbit, and Ground Ivy – Three Look-Alike Weeds

Dead Nettle, an Overlooked yet Valuable Wild Edible

Did you enjoy this post? Consider taking one of my online foraging and natural history classes or hiring me for a guided nature tour, checking out my other articles, or picking up a paperback or ebook I’ve written! You can even buy me a coffee here!

[homeofhousechickens]

Remember that this is the perfect time to forage from some dead nettle and henbit! I have harvested some for my birds to forage after it has been washed.

Usually people like to eat the younger shoots of henbit because it is more palatable but you dont have to, you can also eat it raw. Of course chickens love the stuff.

Here is a good comparison between dead nettle and henbit, both are edible and safe but always make sure to do your own research before foraging. They are commonly found near each other and are very prolific this time of year.

[thejadearia]

Spring 2023~

Sorry I’ve been away for so long. I’ve had a pretty bad health situation since my last post which was several months ago… I’m just now starting to be able to take walks again so I hope I can get some interesting photos this year!

[morethansalad]

Henbit Noodles with Creamy Wild Mushroom Sauce (Vegan with vegan butter, aquafaba in lieu of eggs, and coconut cream in lieu of light cream*)

*just assumptions...I've never made homemade pasta noodles yet

[inthecityofgoodabode]

March 2023: Sunday Walk

Breakfast... well, as late as we got up, it was probably more like brunch: 

Seen while walking: 

The vetch is starting to bud out: 

Mole tunnel: 

Green & gray: 

[lady-book-trash]

Lots of foraging today.

(flowers: mayweed, dandelion, dead nettle, violet, ground clover, henbit, cranesbill

leaves: chicory, dandelion, plantain, ground clover)

[mikkayoshida]

Metagross×Henbit dead-nettle

メタグロス×ホトケノザ

[wishbonewitch]

Wishbone’s Witchy Herbs: Henbit Dead Nettle

Henbit is a member of the mint family, but it lacks the distinct menthol scent of peppermint or spearmint. it does have that characteristic widespread nature. in some areas where it grows wild, you can find it right at your doorstep. it is considered a weed by some but it has plenty of magical properties that may lead you to believe in its usefulness!

Henbit gets its name from the fact chickens ADORE it! it is an annual winter-spring broadleaf commonly found in North America. it is native to the Mediterranean but it can grow in any ideal climate! its also regarded as a harmless invader. while not native to America, it doesn't threaten local ecosystems at all!! its low to the ground and doesn't suffocate fellow plants! what an admirable little plant! it is quite attractive to hummingbirds and bees. it self-pollinates as well! one single plant can produce up to 2,000 seeds!! not to mention, its edible! the leave and flowers make a great addition to salads and baked goods!! it has a flavor similar to spinach and can be eaten raw or cooked! it grows best in wasteland and cleared areas that have been scorched. its been used medicinally as a fever-reducer!  photo below pictures the North American locations for henbit deadnettle!

Henbit Deadnettle is often confused for Purple Deadnettle. they look very similar, however the purple deadnettle’s leaves at the top of the stems are purple-tinged and fade to green as they mature. the henbit deadnettle also has pink to purple slender flowers and half-circle leaves compared to the purple deadnettle’s purple flowers and heart-shaped leaves! (see the picture)

now that we know a bit about the plant, lets delve into its magical properties!

beauty

harmony

attraction

spirit world

motivation

ambition

integration

peace

hope

rising up from the ashes

inner healing

fertility

prosperity

money

abundance

cool tempers

soften blows

strength

apologies

social anxiety

fun ways to use them!

make a bouquet with spring roses, wild violets, clover flowers, dandelions etc. for Beltane or Ostara.

put into spell jars or poppets for the wanted effects.

simmer into a syrup or add to lemonade!

add to money bowls to attract abundance.

bake them into cookies and other baked goods!

add them to salads for a sabbat feast.

use in an offering to deities.

carry on your person when entering a new friend group, coven, job or social situation for a smooth transition.

carry on your person when going into a surgery or procedure for a smooth and easy transition!

dry them and add them to candles, potions, even make incense with them!

braid them into your hair.

make a flower crown!

make a hair oil or tonic with them inside!

[alabasterpeony]

Finally finished my comms so to celebrate I made some flower themed designs! :3

You can find prices and some info below:

Evening Primrose: 16 USD SOLD

Double bat wings, has an affinity for moths

Virginia Bluebells: 16 USD CLOSED

Used to pluck the feathers that grow along her body, now embraces them <3 can't fly for long, usually just hovers

Trout Lily: 10 USD SOLD

Very sociable! part zebra, and has a lil snaggletooth

Pansy: 16 USD

Campy and exuberant, pansy patterns on wing

Henbit and deadnettle: (20 together, 12 apiece)

Henbit is slightly more talkative than dead nettle, loves their girlfriend (and chickens). Deadnettle might be caught staring at her partner if you can catch a glimpse of her eyes under all those bangs and hood! She's part Arabian, and henbit is a well-traveled kirin

[edith-is-a-cat]

yay we’re mutuals now!! omg hi! Okay so it’s time for the questions!

favorite characters? favorite colors? favorite flower?

you probably know what this is for, but if you don’t then you’ll see soon enough :)

Okay so fave characters: Idia, Ruggie, Vil, Kel (omori), Noelle (deltarune), and Jerry (tales from the gas station) Fave colors: Pink, sage green, pastel colors, what ever hex ignihyde blue is, and soft purples Fave flowers (wow i gotta think on this one): Lavender, purple dead nettle, henbit, and snapdragons :) Also may I ask for an emoji and preferred nickname and or prefix to use for you?

[windpurr]

While looking at the patch of henbit dead nettle in my yard I found two stems with pure white flowers. I didn't know they could come white or if this is just a loss of color for an issue with the plant. I can't find anything on the internet about it.

[justlikethefish]

I can hear the lawn people outside destroying the henbit, purple dead nettle, common violets and stringy stonecrop in my yard. I could weep.

[typicalhippiegirl]

I collected chickweed, dandelion, henbit dead nettle, and sweet violets from the yard to celebrate the spring equinox

[aspiringbogmummy]

Happy weed day, my favorite weed currently is henbit dead nettle, which has lovely purple flowers and is a fantastic anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory.

[twistedthistlehomestead]

I walk around our property looking at the different “weeds” growing. I’m new to learning about herbalism so I use an app to find out what a lot of things are. But I also do research to make sure the app is telling me correctly.

These are some of the plants that the app says we have here:

Thistle

Curly Dock

Carolina Geranium

Hairy Buttercup

Spiny Sowthistle

Common Vetch

Lesser Swinecress

Horse weed

Pennsylvania Everlasting

Chinese Bushclover

Groundseltree

Japanese Honeysuckle

Sticky Chickweed

Prickly Lettuce

Tiny Bluet

Corn Salad

Birdeye Speedwell

Wild Garlic

Purple Dead-nettle

Dandelion

Creeping Buttercup

Henbit Deadnettle

Roundleaf Greenbrier

Evening Primrose

Blue Mistflower

Purple False Foxglove

Broomsedge Bluestem

Wrinkledleaf Goldenrod

Pasture Thistle

Virginia Creeper

Trumpet Vine

White Heath Aster

White Clover

Large leaf Pennywort

American Pokeweed

Dogfennel

But it seems like every day there’s something new popping up.

[venvsflyytrapp]

First bee spotting of the year in the garden.

Getting pollen from a Dead Nettle “Lamium purpureum”

Which is an edible medicinal herbaceous annual in the mint family (note the square stem, that’s usually a characteristic of the mint family)