Biology:Lamium amplexicaule

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Short description: Plant species in the mint family

Lamium amplexicaule
Henbit dead-nettle in Belgium
Scientific classification edit
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. incisum L. amplexicaule var. aleppicum
  • (Boiss. & Hausskn.) Bornm.
  • Boiss. L. amplexicaule subsp. mauritanicum
  • L. amplexicaule var. bornmuelleri (Gand. ex Batt.) Maire
  • L. amplexicaule subsp. amplexicaule Mennema
  • (Pacz.) Mennema L. amplexicaule var. orientale
Synonyms[1]

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

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 (3⁄4–1 1⁄4 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 (1⁄2–3⁄4 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 (1⁄2 to 3⁄4 in) long. The upper lip is convex, 3 to 5 mm (1⁄8 to 3⁄16 in) long and the lower lip has three lobes, two small side ones and a larger central one 1.5 to 2.5 mm (1⁄16 to 1⁄8 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.

It is often found alongside Lamium purpureum (red dead-nettle), for which it is easily mistaken, because the two species bear not only similar leaves, but also similar bright pink to purple flowers. They can, however, be distinguished from one another by the form of the leaves on their respective flowering stems; those of red dead-nettle are petiolate, while those of henbit dead-nettle are sessile.[5]

Taxonomy

Lamium amplexicaule was described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.[6]

Distribution and habitat

Henbit dead-nettle is native to 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][7] 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.


Its status in Great Britain and Ireland is disputed; some sources give it as native,[8][9] while others cite it as an archaeophyte.[2][1]

Ecology

The seed is eaten by many species of birds.[10] Where common, it is an important nectar and pollen plant for bees, especially honeybees. It also provides forage for animals.

It is often considered a weed, and even invasive in some states.[11][12]

Uses

The young leaves and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked,[13][7] as can the stems and flowers. Henbit dead-nettle has a slightly sweet and peppery flavour, similar to celery.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Lamium amplexicaule L." (in en). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/448797-1. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 P.A. Stroh; T. A. Humphrey; R.J. Burkmar et al., eds (2020). "Henbit Dead-nettle Lamium amplexicaule L.". BSBI Online Plant Atlas 2020. Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. https://plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9h.fdn. 
  3. ↑ Streeter D, Hart-Davies C, Hardcastle A, Cole F, Harper L. 2009. Collins Flower Guide. Harper Collins ISBN 9-78-000718389-0
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Henbit dead-nettle: Lamium amplexicaule". NatureGate. http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/kukkakasvit/henbit-dead-nettle. 
  5. ↑ Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. ISBN 978-185918-4783
  6. ↑ "Lamium amplexicaule L.". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://www.ipni.org/n/448797-1. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Henbit, Lamium amplexicaule" (in en-US). https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/henbit-lamium-amplexicaule/. 
  8. ↑ Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2
  9. ↑ Swan, George A. (1993). Flora of Northumberland. Hancock Museum: Natural History Society of Northumbria. p. 205. ISBN 0-9520782-0-1. 
  10. ↑ "A Little Bit of Henbit". Southern meadows. 2015-02-06. http://gardeningsoul.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-little-bit-of-henbit.html. 
  11. ↑ "henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.)". https://www.invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=5908. 
  12. ↑ "Lamium amplexicaule (Henbit): Minnesota Wildflowers" (in en). https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/henbit. 
  13. ↑ Elias, Thomas S.; Dykeman, Peter A. (2009). Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. New York: Sterling. pp. 116. ISBN 978-1-4027-6715-9. OCLC 244766414. 

Wikidata ☰ Q159008 entry



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